Children's Chores

In one of your stake classes, you mentioned a system you had for children’s chores and how you divvy those up between children. Could you give a quick reminder? Thanks! Sister J.

Yes, chores for children are so very important. A conversation I overhead last night confirmed this. A missionary was asked what had helped him prepare to serve a successful mission and his reply was having to do chores consistently at home during his growing up years.
Here are the principles. Every child should have daily chores. Smaller children so simpler jobs like push in the chairs after a meal, empty the bathroom wastebasket, make their bed, and put their toys away before dinner. Older children has more complex jobs like empty the dishwasher, clear the table after dinner, and straighten their bedroom. Teenagers’ jobs are even more weighty with jobs for fixing meals, washing dishes, putting the garbage to the street once a week, and maintaining the yard. These jobs are more plentiful during the summer and fewer during the school year. It is not so important what they do, but that they do each and every day.
Next, it is important that children learn what a job entails and how to finish it properly. A parent’s consistent supervision and insistent persuasion are vital here. I encourage parents to check their children’s work, pass it off, and compliment generously for progress made in quality of work, speed of completion, and doing chores without being asked.
Lastly, it is vital to set the example yourself. If you complain about doing laundry, having to clean up the kitchen, and cleaning the bathroom, they will pick up on your attitude. If you, instead, talk about turning a house into a home with your daily work and how much you appreciate your many blessings, especially the opportunity to be a homemaker and a mother, they will pick up on that outlook of life.
Remember, you are raising an army of God. Does your family meet the necessary standards for hard work, diligent labor, and steadiness for those will be called to serve the Lord? It is a goal worthy of some contemplation.

Take care now, Sister M
Address more questions to HYPERLINK "mailto:marie@houseoforder.com" marie@houseoforder.com.