For some parents, chores are a useful way to teach children to help out around the house and help them become more independent. Whether it’s helping with the washing, emptying the dishwasher or sweeping the floor, any small chores can give children a sense of accomplishment and is, for some, a good way to supplement their pocket money income.
Whether you’d like your children to help with the chores is completely up to you and what works for one family might not work for another, but if it’s a step you’re keen for your kids to take, take a look at our suggestions and tips to help the process run smoothly.
Why should my kids help with chores?
Whether your kids help out around the house with chores will depend on your own family and personal preference. However, there are some benefits that can result from your kids pitching in.
Doing tasks around the house can help children grow their sense of responsibility – knowing that they are a contributing member of the household is an important life skill that will come in handy as they grow up. What’s more, doing chores could give your children a sense of achievement as they can see they are helping you out and giving back.
Additionally, if you give your children financial incentives for their chores, it can also be a good way to teach them about the value of money.
What kind of chores could they do?
The sorts of chores you might like to get your kids help with may depend on their age, but there are lots of different things they can do, no matter how small, to get involved.
For slightly younger children, you might want to start them off with smaller chores, such as making their bed in the morning or helping to put away their clean laundry. Older children could take on more responsibilities, like loading the dishwasher, doing the washing up, or helping with the weekly shop.
How do I get my kids started?
If your kids have never done chores before, you might worry that it’ll be hard to get their buy-in, but this doesn’t have to be the case. Rewarding them with lots of praise and encouragement can be persuasion enough and there are plenty of ways to make tackling chores a fun activity – check out our blog on making chores fun for some inspiration.
However, you might want to reward your kids with a financial incentive – that’s where we come in! You can use your child’s nimbl account to transfer money as a reward for doing their chores. These financial incentives and rewards can help with teaching your children the value of money, as well as encouraging them to keep up with their housework! For more information on how our pocket money features work, take a look here.
Remember – although chores can be a useful way to help build your child’s sense of responsibility and give you a bit of extra help around the house, every family is different and only you will know if and when your children are ready to take on the responsibility.