As parents, we all too often sulk elbow deep in dishes while watching our kids continue to add to-dos to the never-ending list. We wish they would be more responsible, but it’s hard to get started on a chore charts for kids when half of the battle is worrying if they would even do it right.
I know you know what I mean. I’m talking about the way the towels get folded or the fear of beautiful dinnerware breaking by careless washing.
I’ll let you in on a secret, and it’s even one you should share. There are indeed chores that are kid-friendly for all ages. Releasing some of the duties feels quite fabulous. Trust me on this.
At Twin Cities Kids Club
, we believe that responsibility is something that you have to learn. Teach your kids the sense of pride that comes with accomplishment, and they will take that lesson with them as they grow into successful adults.
The Power of Letting Go
There are a few steps before creating a chore chart for kids.
- Decide which chores are even possible or age-appropriate for kids
- Deciding you’re okay with relinquishing responsibility for said chore
Once you have those two steps done, the hardest part is complete. Really. It gets so much easier from there, and it is so worth it.
Your time and your sanity are worth much more than having control over what and how kids should accomplish chores.
Why It Matters
Even if you’re the type of person who enjoys being in charge of chores, we encourage you to give some job(s) to your child.
Whether it is a daily or weekly task, having consistent responsibility teaches kids independence, problem-solving skills, and helps their self-esteem.
Have you ever tackled a task and developed a massive sense of accomplishment after finishing it? A job well done is a significant boost to a child’s self-esteem and helps them realize that they are capable of accomplishing so many things!
Having your children help out with household tasks also helps relieve some of the stress that parents can feel daily.
Choose Chores That Make Sense
Are you sold on the idea yet? It sounds nice in theory, but putting it to practice begins with deciding which chores kids can accomplish.
Be realistic when deciding which chores should go to whom and whether or not your child would understand how to complete the task. If your child can walk, you bet they can help out around the home.
Age is a factor, but it is not the only factor. Keep the child’s physical ability, maturity, and even their interests in mind when delegating who does what.
Start with something simpler for younger-aged children. We recommend starting with personal chores, whether it be as simple as keeping their room tidy or ensuring their things are not lying around the house where they should not.
Feel free to branch out from this starting point into other simple tasks such as clearing the table or putting clothing in the dryer from the washing machine. You’d be amazed at how quickly kids can catch on when given the responsibility.
Create a Schedule
Kids are such visual learners. They must understand what their responsibility is and how often they should be doing it. Writing down each expectation offers consistency.
Some daily chores may include brushing teeth, bathing, or clearing the dinner table. Tasks that may take place every week or multiple times a week could consist of things like cleaning a litter box, emptying the trash, or folding laundry.
Whatever you decide, you must stick to the schedule to maintain consistency for yourself and your child. Once the practice is in place, a routine begins to develop.
Chore Chart Examples
Kids are natural people pleasers. They love to win an adult’s approval, especially their parents. Though they may not be independent enough to complete these chores on their own, they certainly will be motivated enough to help accomplish them.
Ages 2+
- Pick up toys
- Help make the bed(s)
- Help set table
- Wipe messes up
- Feed pets
Ages 4+
- Clear or set the table
- Sorting laundry
- Helping fold and put away
- Help take care of pets
Ages 6+
- Sweeping
- Dusting
- Mopping
- Take out the trash
Ages 9+
- More household duties
- Help with food preparation
- Light gardening
Enjoy Your Chore Freedom
If only it were that easy, right?
We’re not promising that you will be free from household duties and that suddenly, you will be able to enjoy that fresh hot cup of coffee uninterrupted. But we do assure you that delegating responsibilities to the smaller hands around your home makes quite an impact on your level of stress. It may even save your sanity.
Chore Charts at Your Fingertips
Here are some great ideas for ready-made chore charts. These can be conveniently purchased or used as inspiration for a DIY diagram of your own.
The customization options are endless, and you can cater these charts to your family and your household needs.
One of the more simple (and most effective) charts I’ve seen is having a monthly calendar printed. On the top or bottom of the calendar, write daily expectations for your child for both morning and night (or am/pm). If morning duties are complete, there’s one sticker as a reward. If nightly responsibilities get fulfilled, another sticker gets added to the day.
A full week of daily double stickers means an even bigger reward. This system makes it easy to track their progress and is clear to understand.
Another great option is to download and print a chore chart template . Save yourself the hassle of figuring out layout or design and fill in your choices. A model chart usually has done the work for you. It has already figured out a system and allows you to customize it further for your needs.
Simple, right?
So Get Started!
The hard part is deciding to delegate some of the responsibilities and biting your tongue during the learning process.
Keep in mind this is not an overnight fix, and lots of patience is required, but in the end, it is most definitely worth it. When we teach responsibility young, kids grow up to be responsible and self-sufficient adults.
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