Of course, you can do your household chores better and faster than your children. It’s time-consuming to clarify their duty, and you even have to be OK with them doing it wrong or “not the way you like!” However, giving them responsibility and paying them for each task has a massive impact on their personality and money management skills. Just like anything else, giving kids chores have its protocols and procedures. YounGo Money in this article covers all the topics about household tasks for children, their benefits, making them fun, etc.
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Benefits of Household Chores for Children
It may not seem such a big help when your 4-year-old puts away his toys or tries his best to make his bed. But, these tiny tasks play a vital role in their personality formation. Here we have listed up to x pros of chores for children.
Improves their Self-Esteem
The first and foremost advantage is how it affects their self-esteem.
Even a simple task like vacuuming can be considered a goal for kids. And the satisfaction they feel after completing their chore influences their confidence. Your kids may sometimes avoid their assigned tasks. However, once they get started, it’ll become enjoyable thanks to their former experiences.
It Makes them more Responsible
Over time they understand the value of finishing an assigned task. If your kids learn to complete chores at home when they’re 4, they’ll act more responsibly towards their school, homework and later, their jobs!
Chores Encourage Participation and Teamwork
Your kids should be able to play their role as family members regardless of their age. When they take part in household tasks, they learn everyone needs to do their share. It becomes more and more vital when it comes to their social life when they’re older.
Now that you know all the aspects of assigning tasks to your children, we’ll walk you through one of the critical dilemmas in this matter.
Many parents are still doubtful whether to pay their kids for the chores or not.
Pros and Cons of Paying for Chores
There can not be a one-size-fits-all answer, and it’s entirely up to you! Weigh all the aspects to see what works best for you and your children. However, one of the main advantages of paying children for doing household tasks is that they learn the value of money. For instance, if a child buys a toy with the money he’s worked for, he’ll take better care of it. In addition, over time, they can better differentiate between Want and Need.
On the other hand, some may believe that paying kids will set unrealistic expectations in their lives. Children may ask for money whenever they complete tasks or even avoid doing some chores as they already have enough money.
Take all the pros and cons we mentioned above into account and come to a conclusion.
If you’ve decided to give pocket money for household tasks, you should determine chores based on your children’s age and a suitable paying method.
Children Chore Payment Methods
There are #3 various methods you can use to assign chores for money.
- One lump sum per week: Presumably, this is one of the most popular methods. As the name suggests, parents can create a list of housework children can do and offer their allowance based on that.
- Different prices for each task: You can also designate various amounts for each chore. You’re free to decide whether to pay them after each is done or keep track of their list and pay them at the end of the week.
- A combination of both: Using this method, your children have the option to gain more money doing additional chores. Parents can add the extra pounds to their lump sum.
Age-based Chores for Kids
It goes without saying that the assigned tasks need to be age-based. In addition, you have to take each kid’s ability and skills into account.
Toddlers
It’s unlikely that they value money the way teens do. However, teaching them about it at the earliest stage of their lives goes a long way. The chores toddlers can do increase their experience instead of lighting your heavy workload as a parent. If your child is 2 or 3 years old, you can ask them to clean small messes, put away their toys, or put dirty laundry in the hamper.
Preschoolers
Preschoolers can have greater responsibilities. Their school activities and the chores they’ve done when they were toddlers have made them ready for more. Children begin to understand the concept of money at this age, and they are also always ready and happy to help! That makes a suitable combination for housework! They can set the table, dust, clean up, and help you do the laundry.
Elementary-Aged
Unlike preschoolers and toddlers, children at this age are ready to do chores for money. That’s a perfect time to give them daily responsibilities and make sure they stick to their chore list. Bear in mind that they need constant motivation to keep going. You can ask them to check the mail, water the plants, sort the clothes, clean their room and feed the pet.
High-Schoolers
To be honest, making high-schoolers do chores is a tough row to hoe! But as always, money can be a great incentive. If your children are 15 or 16 years old, it’s better to ask them for outdoor chores. Doing so helps them gain more experience and learn practical life skills. Babysitting, washing the car, yard work, or cleaning their room and bathroom can be appropriate tasks for this age.
Final Words
As you know, children need to learn about money management at home as well as at school. As responsible parents, by giving them chores and paying them, they’ll learn to value money besides life skills.
