Time to Talk Chores
Are you dreaming of the days when your children will finally be able to pitch in and lend a hand with household chores? Those days may be sooner than you think.
Studies have shown that chores not only teach children a good work ethic and cleaning habits, but also promote higher self-esteem, better academic performance and social skills.
Age-Appropriate Chores
You may be surprised to learn how many chores your child is actually capable of completing. Just remember to be patient, and don’t expect perfection.
- Ages 2 and 3—Pick up toys, wipe up spills, dust furniture and feed pets
- Ages 4 and 5—Make his bed, water plants, use hand-held vacuums to clean couches, take out trash, unload unbreakable items from the dishwasher, and wash plastic dishes in the sink
- Ages 6 and 7—Help make his lunch, keep his bedroom clean, sweep floors, sort laundry, weed and rake leaves
- Ages 8 and 9—Vacuum, help make dinner, mop floors, walk pets, put away laundry, make breakfast and snacks
- Ages 10 and older—Load and unload dishwasher, iron clothes, cook simple meals, babysit siblings, mow the lawn, clean the kitchen and bathrooms, wash cars, change bed sheets
A Word about Allowance
Giving your child an allowance can be a great way to teach him about the value of money, how to manage finances and the importance of building a savings account. Deciding how he earns it, how much to give and when to start giving is a decision each family must make independently.
Experts recommend giving children 50 cents to a dollar per week for every year of their age—for instance a 10-year-old would receive anywhere from $5 to $10. Talk to your child about responsibly spending money, but ultimately, let him decide how to spend it. You can also encourage your child to save money by purchasing a unique piggy bank. If you want to encourage your child to be charitable, help him find a charity that’s meaningful to him, such as a pediatric cancer charity, and explain how his donation will help others.
View our “Parenting Support: Resources for a Tough Economy” for more helpful tips for saving and budgeting so your child will get the most out of that piggy bank.
