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Work is good.
That’s a lesson we want our children to learn as they grow up. We want them immersed in a culture that encourages them to work hard and avoid laziness.
I have to remind myself that even though I can accomplish tasks better or faster by myself, it’s more important to teach our daughters how to do those tasks alongside me.
We try to find the balance between having them do chores just to help out because they’re part of the family and teaching them to equate work with being paid.
Therefore, there are certain assignments they complete on a daily basis that don’t earn them money. These include making their bed; setting and clearing the table at mealtimes; cleaning out the dishwasher; folding laundry.
The chores they get paid for are typically done on Saturday mornings. These weekly tasks include vacuuming their bedrooms, bathroom, and hallway; cleaning their bathroom; dusting; emptying trash cans; and doing a load of laundry.
Each year, on their birthday, we raise their “pay” and they are also assigned new chores. If at any point they want to earn additional money, I can usually find extra tasks around the house that they can do for payment.
We have them divide their money into three categories, using envelopes like Dave Ramsey talks about in his program. They have one for giving, one for saving, and one for spending.
At times, I ask for the girls’ help and they’re expected to give it quickly and with a good attitude. For example, on Wednesday I was drowning in work and asked them to vacuum the living room and kitchen, which they did.
I want our girls to pursue their interests, enjoy their summer, and have plenty of down time. Yet they also need to realize, at ages twelve and ten, that there is work to be done every day. They can also begin to understand the principle of using their time wisely and not wasting it. All of life involves work and I want them to feel the sense of accomplishment that comes with a job well done.
How do handle chores with your children?
This is very similar to what we are doing with our girls. They don't get an allowance yet {they are too young, I think} but they each have tasks that they are expected to help with, and they do pretty well. The biggest one is getting things cleaned up at night. We are still working on that one 🙂
You probably saw my post on how we handle chores at our house. And it is hard finding the right balance between chores that are done just because they're part of the family and ones that earn money. I probably don't ask enough of my children; they can probably do more than I realize.
Yes, I did read your post about the chores that your children do. It sounds like you're having realistic expectations for them – though I suspect that my children, too, can do even more than I think they can.
This is definitely a difficult one! I too have struggled with the balance between chores as part of life and working for earnings…
My children are expected to pick up after themselves, keep their rooms at least liveable (as opposed to cyclone-like 😉 ), help with outdoor chores, cook meals and snacks, as part of everyday life. They also do other random chores without being paid from time to time.
For the chores we pay them for, they wash and dry the dishes, do deep-cleaning chores, vacuum the whole house, sweep floors, clean bathrooms, and other random special chores.
Sometimes my daughter will do her chores that she usually gets paid for and turn to me and say "Mummy, I don't want to be paid for this job. I want to do it just to serve the Lord". I try to encourage them to do ALL their work as a service for the Lord whether they get paid or not, so it warms my heart when she does her jobs so selflessly and then I thank God for her sweetness. 🙂
What a delightful thing for your daughter to say! Isn't it encouraging when we see our children take to heart those principles we are seeking to instill in their hearts?! You've reminded me that I need to remind our daughters that their service is not to me or their father, but to God.