Studies show that it is good for children to do chores at home. It teaches them responsibility, help them see their capabilities and above all makes them feel they are part of a team. It teaches life skills and chores are the best predictors of a healthier, happier life in the future. Chores help children become more independent.
But what if your children already have chores such as washing the dishes, doing laundry, cleaning their rooms and cooking once in a while? Can you still ask them for help even when the person who created the mess was you?
I had to face the dilemma of asking my kids to help out with a muddy situation this morning. I was unsure if I should ask them to help out since my husband and I were the ones who wanted a garden. I was worried that they would not like doing the extra chore and would fuss because they were being taken away from something that they liked doing. After all, it was Aaron and I who chose a rainy Friday morning to bring in dirt through the kitchen, the living room and into our garden in the back.
To add to that, I was alone with them at home and so I could not dump the task of approaching them on their father and appear to be the good cop. But, I also knew that it would take me an hour and a bit to scrape the mud off the floors before being able to sweep and then clean. I had to risk them showing disinterest and dragging their feet. So off I marched into their rooms.
To my surprise, I did not need to use my stern voice and bad cop tone. My kids jumped to the challenge. They did not resist doing the chore even though it did not have a reward compared to the instant gratification that they got from screens and electronics (which are also time restricted, of course).
Mina took the screwdriver (the only "scraper" we had) and on her hands and knees, got to it. Jad filled the bucket, poured some Detol and got busy scrubbing. I was amazed at how efficient and cooperative they were with each other. It took us half of an hour to finish the job and I was so proud of and grateful to them for helping me out and for taking it in their stride. Jad even took it a step further and cleaned the garage of the dirt that collected there.
Next time, I will not be hesitant to ask them for help with something that they did not have a hand in. I will trust that they will do what is asked of them because they are kind and helpful souls.
