Guest Author - Paula Petrie

It is often said that it is never to early for starting kids doing chores. But maybe, just maybe, sometimes finding a way to unwind before seeking her own path to discipline may be necessary first. Once children feel centered and competent in other aspects of their lives, taking on chores becomes a whole lot easier. Having children help when a job needs done is a great way for kids to learn the value of pitching in, without commitment pressure.

With the phenomenal rise in childhood stress and the rigid structure of kids’ lives today it may not be all bad to relax household chores and spend a little time away from structure.

Parents worry that their children will not learn discipline and responsibility without the steady daily routine of household chores. But with hectic schedules and so much time away from home it may be more important to allow kids to take a little down time.

My friend’s kids were doing chores at a very early age to learn responsibility. In our home I have discovered that it can be less stressful for everyone to allow kids to naturally gravitate toward certain chores. For example teaching them to do laundry when the desire to be well dressed kicks in. Teaching cooking when a real interest comes about. This philosophy even works for cleaning their bedrooms. With an interest in having a great personal environment, a child is open to learning ways to keep a newly decorated bedroom organized.

There are exceptions to the rule, of course. Some kids are naturally messy and don’t seem to care. And these kids need extra prompting and easy organizing strategies to reach the realization that organized feels better in every way. Often a messy room is the outward symptom of frustrations in other areas. A child may need help with another area of her life as well. Help this child understand that creating a comfortable environment isn’t a strain when she has a healthy perspective and organizing her environment helps bring a clear perspective as well.

I would make each child learn the basics for being tidy, sharing the workload, and feeding themselves. Learning in a fun helping mom way. When age appropriate chores are assigned some times I really have to stay on them till memory kicks in. However, kids generally seem to “get it” as they get older, especially if they have clean and tidy role models, then organizing their own lives becomes a lot easier.