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Often we are all discouraged when our little ones don’t want to help. I am sure they have their moments when helping is fun. However those are most often replaced with “But Mom, why do I have do it” Or “Ok Give me five minutes” which results with either the job not getting done or starting an argument. Neither of which the results we are looking for.
Starting out when they are younger is always better, is something I am sure we have all heard a time or two. We must also realize that it is not always possible to start early so we have older kids who do not want to help out.
A few fun ideas that can help out, try to keep in mind consistency is the key to getting things to work out. These are ways that I have helped get my older two to help out in the house.

A Sticker chart

Yea we have all heard it before but they do actually work. At the end of the allowed time give them a reward. If they got all their stickers make it a good one I don’t mean it has to be expensive heck it can even be something simple as an ice cream date with mom or dad. But even if they don’t get all of the stickers it is important to reward that too. It does help reinforce what you are trying to get them to do. So it may start off slower that wanted but your child getting acknowledged for what he or she has done it helps them want to do more.

Challenge them

Most kids love to win, it usually does not matter what it is if they are the winner they are happy. Knowing this you can use it to your advantage, so challenge them to that can get their trash bag fuller after 5 minutes, Or who can put the most laundry in their basket. Then when they win do a little dance and celebrate. It helps to have two of whatever your doing if its laundry two baskets or more if your challenging more than one child.

Using Tickets

I am sure that now days most children of all ages have some sort of game they like to play if it’s a video game, or computer game there is something. So create a rule that if you do your chores you get a ticket, each ticket equals say 15 minutes on your game or watching your show on the TV. Doing this helps them work for their fun time. But it also helps them learn to budget.

I did this with my sons One would use his two tickets right after chores were done. My other son however figured out that if he saves them then by the end of the week he would have 3 hours total. So he decided to save them so he could play games all day Saturday after those chores were done. Or he saved them to make sure he watched his favorite show if he knew a new episode was on.

It is hard to say which your child will be but this way the games and TV are not interfering with their chores. This is a great technique for those with children who are addicted to the games.

Do you have any other fun techniques that you have found that worked for you and your family? Let us know.

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Posted by Tamara Wilson -Work at Home Mom to four children. She runs several websites helping moms with issues that may arise with their children Such as Teen anger and Depression as well as sharing information to help their babies learn Baby Sign Language. Visit Website