For moms..what is the best way to get more help around the house from kids?

Question

i try to get my 4 kids to help and all the do is cry....the ages r 11,11,8 and 5

Answer 1

I have 2 kids, 10 and 7. Either they pitch in and get what they want, ie: hockey, baseball, soccer, computers etc, or they do no nothing and get nothing. I don't ask alot: make their beds, empty the dishwasher and set the table. My kids are awesome so its never an issue.

Answer 2

consequences for chores assigned and not done and go to amazon.com and there is a wonderful book called 401 ways to get your kids to help around the house and in the back is an extensive list of what they can do at what age, and it starts at 2 1/2 yrs :) Also, while there ,look up Side Tracked Home Executive . I used both of these and the 2nd book here shows you how to put on 3x5 cards all things needed to be done all year and how to run it, and instead of nagging, I would just pull out their chore cards for the day and if they weren't done, consequences that made them suffer but not me, like, no ride to the soccer game, Moms are not slaves Don't do their wash, and worst of all tell them you will take time to sit in on their classes if they are older than 11 they will hate this and you may have to do it once to prove you mean it, Remember how much you didn't want your parents around when you were 12-17 ??? even if you have to take an hour off work, one time does the trick email if you like

Answer 3

Making children help with some household chores requires planning, research, discipline and tons of PATIENCE. First you need to determine the chores you may assign to each child. It really depends upon their age, maturity and personality. I assume you have twins with you, just as I do. Though they may have the same birthdate, you know they are very different from each other. Assign to them chores that they might like. It would really help if you can do some research about the appropriate jobs for their age, however, if you don't have much time, just observe them if they are already capable with the assignments you're thinking of giving them. Next, set a meeting with them. If possible, meet them all together. However, with my experience, its quite difficult.So if it is the case, It will be worth your time to talk to them individually and open up to them your hardships in maintaining the household and would really be grateful if they can pitch in. Ask them just what they want to contribute. You have to start with the youngest though, or the most difficult to talk to. So, he or she will pick the jobs they'll like. The most matured one would understand if the remaining jobs will be assigned to them. The key here is to make them understand the situation. Understanding requires maturity.
You should already have a list of chores that you'll require them to complete daily, weekly or monthly so they or you will be able to pick the right one for them. It will make them feel more responsible if they are the ones who have chosen it.
Next, be disciplined, yes, I mean YOU. Make a schedule and STICK to it. Remind them everyday by posting a cute letter on your fridge or just whisper it to them in the morning, until they'll get use to it.
Lastly, be VERY PATIENT. It would really require months or even years to make this work. But I believe that it will be worth the effort you'll pour in.
Though, am not really an advocate of bribing a child with prizes everytime they'll do something for the family. I still do believe that making children feel they made you happy for their efforts, will drive them into achieving more wonderful things in the future, Whatever will it be, a gift or reward, just focus on telling them that they had contributed a lot to their family and they should be very proud about that.

Answer 4

When I moved out of the house, my parents discovered just how little work my younger sisters and brothers actually did (a big reason why I got out as soon as I was 18-I was a maid). My Dad invented "Phantom Work Person". Every day, each child would be assigned a room. Timer was set. They had to clean as much as they could in 15 minutes. That did a lot to keep order. Of course, you have to assign clear tasks appropriate for age.

Answer 5

I made a chart with pictures of activities cut out of construction paper. Then I put a Sun and/or Moon next to them so they would know when to do them daily. You could try making a chart with the days of the week on it and the kids names and randomly move the pictures of the chores to the day it needs to be done. At the end of the week, there was always a reward...like picking out a movie, choosing their favorite dinner, a small toy, etc.

Answer 6

Well, I'm 14, and when I was their age, what worked best is starting out by giving them small and easy tasks, and thanking them a lot and saying how much of a help they were, basically making them feel good. Then have them work their way up to bigger tasks. If that doesn't work, just give them rewards if they do something, but small things so they don't get spoiled.

Good Luck!

Answer 7

i may have a simple solution for your problem,,,my children are 17,8,5,and 2,,to make things run smoother at our house we have a chore container!!! i use a cottage cheese container and put slips of paper with chores on them. when one of them want to go or do anything they have to take a slip and do the chore on it..i made it so it only takes about 15 min to do the task,,when we want to go somewhere i get the container out and everyone has to do a chore before we leave.. wa la!! the house is clean,,,if theres no arguing or crying then there is an extra reward..even my little one has a chore. make it a game or contest too..this really does work so hopefully it will work for you too... good luck

Answer 8

I;m not a mom, but i would reward them small rewards for helping, nothing big, becuase I wouldn't want to spoil them. But maybe something like, if they help you all week with chores, you could go out as a family to dinner at the end of the week. Or if they don't help take privliges like tv. and movies away from them

Answer 9

START EARLY! My 3 year old helps out as much as he can, because I give him a dollar here and there for doing something, and he can save his money for the toys he wants. That may work for your five year old. For the older kids, however, you may have to put your foot down. Tell them that with priviledge comes responsibility. So if they want to go out with their friends, play on the computer, or whatever it is that they want to do, they have to pitch in around the house. good luck!

Answer 10

Make it fun. Like have them sing a song or something while they clean.
Or try dubbing on of them the special helper for the week and see if that helps.