How to Raise Your Child’s Independence With Household Chores

If you want your child to be confident and independent, assign them some basic chores. Though kids may complain about helping out around the house, it’s a great way for them to develop important skills that will help them thrive later in life. Here are a few things to know when you start.

Teach a Man to Fish…

Teaching a child to do chores and then making them responsible for completing those tasks is a great way to foster independence and boost problem-solving skills. It can also make your child feel more confident when they realize that their contribution helps the household to run better.

It’s a sad state of affairs when young people finally go out on their own and suddenly realize they don’t know how to do anything for themselves. Kids who know how to do chores can carry those skills into adult life, and this can help them make the adjustment from childhood to independent adult living. Your child may even find innovative ways to increase productivity, and this will further their sense of accomplishment.

Eliminate Potential Risks

Before you set your child to perform chores on their own, make sure to eliminate potential risks. Exercise caution when allowing children to use chemicals for cleaning. It’s best to use non-toxic cleaners or to teach children to make non-toxic versions so you don’t run the risk of poisoning. You can use anchors for heavy furniture to secure them to the wall. Kids should know not to climb on furniture, but if they disobey and scale a bookcase in order to dust it, they’ll be safer with the bookcase anchored. Make sure you offer your child age-appropriate chores that are suited to their maturity level. Don’t have a child work with a tool they’re not ready to use safely.

Emphasize Intrinsic Motivation

It’s fine to connect performing chores with receiving an allowance or some other monetary reward. However, it’s best if you can instill intrinsic motivation in your child rather than teaching them to rely exclusively on external motivation. This will help a child understand that certain things you do in life simply make life better, and that is the reward for doing them. This won’t be an easy lesson to learn, but if you’re consistent with your lessons, they will realize the importance of finishing their chores.

Kids will often learn that they like living in a tidy environment more than one that is cluttered. They will understand that not cleaning the bathtub or taking out the trash will lead to problems with mold and pests. These are valuable lessons that help a child understand why doing chores is essential. Help your children develop their confidence and independence by giving them useful chores. They’ll thank you one day.