how do i make chores fun for my 9 year old stepdaughter?

Question

she "conviently" forgets to do them. So her father and i end up doing them. i know kids don't look at chores as their all time favorite pass time, but we are trying to teach her to be a responsible child who will grow into a responsible adult. We dont believe in giving her an allowance....but i think she needs some sort of incentive to keep doing them on a regular basis.

Answer 1

my brother and I always had to do chores on saturday moring to get our pocket money (not much just £2). one of us would have to clean the bathroom or kitchen, and then the hoovering or dusting. also we had to either wash or dry up every night. I think the fact that there were two of us did help as we did them together. The pocket money incentive did work tho

Answer 2

Ok this is a bit of work, but that is the point, right... I made a chore chart for my kids. It was a grid with the days of the week going down the left margin and the chores across the top. Each completed chore for the day earned a sticker (i used motivational stickers that said things like "way to go", "#1"...) . At the end of the week, a completed chore chart could be redeemed at the "chore store" (a bag of goodies i bought at the dollar store). My kids loved "buying" things with their charts so much I don't even think they knew they were doing chores! And the best part...they finally got into the mode of doing chores and we were able to phase out the "incentive programs." BTW, in my opinion allowance is a good thing. We give our kids weekly allowance simply for being part of the family. It's our way of saying, you are part of the family, you are entitled to part of the household income. HOWEVER, my children also have savings accounts and we use their allowance to teach them about financial responsibility.

Answer 3

For starters, refer to her as your daughter instead of the after mentioned step- daughter. Because if you insist on calling her that, then what should fun have to do with anything? I mean we're only talking about a step child right? So step all over her. Make her wash the dishes, then immediately upon her completion go into the kitchen and find a dish with the slightest spot on it. If you can't find one,simply put a spot on one. and then beat her prom ply for the terrible job she did. And make sure you point out constantly throughout the beating " that you're not her real mother." Then the following day make her wash them again- trust me those dishes will be spick and span baby!!!
Of course all the following was simply just a really crude joke. Let's face facts, no matter what lame *** game (or trick) you try to employ- chores are chores, nobody likes doing them, that's why they're called chores. Explain to her why their done, give her a task and a set amount of days to perform that task. the remaining days you perform that task, and make sure she knows it. Because then it will be seen as a necessary evil that everyone must perform, instead of a punishment.

Answer 4

Make up some kind of chart where she can put stickers (pick something she likes - flowers, favorite characters, etc.) and come up with rewards that she gets for filling a row or getting a certain number of stickers. I'm really not a believer in paying kids to do chores as everyone should understand that each member of the family has to contribute for the household to run. But the "prizes" can be as simple as lunch with mom or dad, havinga friend over or getting to choose the weekend movie rental.

The main idea is to get her to see how much she is helping you and Dad by pitching in and giving her a reason to want to do it. Good Luck!

Answer 5

Hmm- Well, now- you could set up some kind of chart and some pretty stickers, such as gold stars or smiley faces. And each time she finishes a chore, she gets a sticker to put beside the chore in question. When the chart is full, you could go do something special.

Otherwise, if she 'forgets' to do her chores, you could dock some privilege.

Good luck!

Answer 6

i exploit to artwork with young toddlers his age, at a treatment abode, and you'd be surprised at what they are able to handle. One chore is adequate for the day at his age and along with his schedule. And it may be something that makes him sense like he's contributing, yet without over doing it. listed under are some innovations... help prepare a meal a minimum of one night a week (Or as in lots of cases as he can) in case you have a dishwasher, his interest could be to load it or positioned the dishes away. Swiffer the abode. airborne dirt and dust furnishings. If he has his own bathing room his interest must be to empty the trash, wipe down the sink and counters, and bathroom seat. (the huge stuff could be left to the person) help with grocery procuring convey mutually all of the garbage interior the abode on rubbish day, so as that it quite is arranged to bypass out. that's a start up, wish it helps.

Answer 7

Start small. Most kids find chores overwhelming just to think about it. Instead of telling her to clean her whole room, ask her to make the bed or straighten one corner. Offer to do a new task along with her to show her how to do it. Many kids don't have a clue how to start, even a job that seems to be a no brainer to you may need demonstration. Ask her which jobs she wouldn't mind doing and ask her to do one or two in order to help you out. Most of all, don't ever criticize a child's attempt. They really do want to please you.

Answer 8

I know kids do not like to do chores, but what worked for my sons up until they went to college, was allowing them to blast the stereo while cleaning. I just didn't mind the music as long as the work was done.

Answer 9

I am the oldest girl in an Italian family(in my forties)in my opinion chores are not fun they are responsibilities that must get done whether they are fun or not! cooking,baking and crafts are fun!

Answer 10

I think you should do an allowance, nothing huge, but I think it teaches children that you have to work to earn money. That way when they hit an age were they are old enough to get a real job, they will want to get one.