As soon as a child can walk they can take part, even in a small way, in keeping the home clean and organized.
Simply by teaching them to clean their toys after using them. A 4-5 year old can help empty the dishwasher. An 8 year old can clean bathrooms (make it fun, have a speed cleaning contest). But how do we teach a child to do chores and to do them right?
- Explain what is expected of them
- Show them how to do it
- Do it with them
- Watch while they do it on their own
- Trust them to do it without supervision
It’s important to have age appropriate expectations. Sometimes we can expect too much but more often we tend to expect too little out of our children.
Teach them that “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:32
In our home we have willing helpers and others who need to learn to be willing. Often I have to catch myself as it would be so much easier to only ask those who are willing to help because things would get done without me having to be involved. But those who need to learn diligence would only become more lazy and not learn the value of work. So I try to be purposeful in involving all my children and sometimes give extra opportunities to those more reluctant workers.
“If anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.” 2 Thess.3:10b
