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For us, chore charts for kids really help.

I am a firm believer in giving chores from an early age. Not just because I want to instill a work ethic in my children but because in my opinion, if you make a mess, physically or in life, you should clean it up.

Does that mean my son is a wonderful angel who does his chores? no.

But, it’s for us as well, reminding each other to tidy up after ourselves and have respect for our home and our lives. Unfortunately, my house is frequently untidy, but not as bad as it would be if we didn’t all contribute and to be honest, it’s the thought that counts. If you’re just here for the freebies (that’s okay), CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD CHORE CHARTS, if not here is how you can get them to do their chores with less resistance as well as other useful information:

How to Get Less Resistance When Setting Chores

Obviously, no one wants to do chores and I’m not about to pretend that I have the magic answer! But, there are ways to get less resistance that have worked in my experience:

1.Lead by Example

You’d be surprised! If your child doesn’t see you picking up after yourself, making your own bed or clearing away their plates after dinner, why should they? We teach our children manners by saying please and thank you, we teach them to be respectful by showing respect to others so chores should be no different.

2. Offer Help

I have to be honest, I was a little resistant here myself because they make the mess, they clean it up. But, particularly in the beginning when you set habits, you need to show them the structure to doing things, the best way to complete the task and that you’re willing to help if they get stuck. Don’t get me wrong, you shouldn’t do it for them, but allowing them to ask you for help or suggestions if and when they need it can make it feel less of a chore.

3. Don’t Use Chores as a Punishment

Here’s the thing. If you use chores to punish your kids, they will feel like they are being punished when you ask them to do them willingly and this causes more resistance. Chores, unfortunately, should be part of the routine and although no one likes doing them they are a fact of life. That being said, if you want to use chores as punishments, then offer the ones that you normally do that they don’t have to, for example cleaning out the car or deep cleaning appliances, that way it’s a distinction between what their own responsibilities are, and their punishment.

4. Be in Close Proximity

Mary Poppins had it right, doing chores together tends to get things done quicker, avoids them dallying around and dragging things out and makes sure things are done properly. But more than that, it stops it being an isolating experience. If your child feels like they are missing out on something by doing chores, they will put up a fight.

But why are we trying to force our children to do chores in the first place? Other than getting a helping hand, chores have other developmental benefits for your children:

Benefits Chores Have For Your Kids

There are so many reasons to use chore charts for kids but primarily it’s because of the benefits that chores bring. Including:

1. Developing Gross and Fine Motor Skills

There are endless opportunities where children can help around the house, whether it’s drying dishes, dusting, sweeping, gardening etc. And, all of these develop those crucial motor skills that children need, particularly with the younger ones. Although they aren’t going to be the best sweepers in the world, showing them how to use a dustpan and brush, for example, helps their hand-eye co-ordination.

2. Teaches Delayed Gratification

It’s not uncommon for parents to reward completed charts with money or a treat. Regardless of the reward, your child is also learning about delayed gratification. In a world that is full of immediate gratification, this is a great way for your child to see that actions are not always rewarded immediately and that it takes a bit longer to see the fruits of our labour.

3. Helps Collaborative Learning

If you have more than one child then it is a good idea to get them to work together to complete a chore. If that is not the case, work alongside your child to complete different chores together. These situations provide children the opportunity to learn to compromise and take responsibility in different roles. A good example of this would be one day you wash the dishes and your child rinses them, the next day you switch roles.

4.Teaching Self-discipline

It’s been said that successful people are good at doing the things that other people can’t be bothered to do or don’t want to do showing high levels of self-discipline and chores help to develop this. There are always situations where we have to take part, even when we may not want to such as, school, work and sometimes even relationships so understanding that we have responsibilities and self-discipline early on can be a vital skill in other areas too.

5. Creates a Sense of Purpose

When your child is given the responsibility of helping around the house they get a sense of ownership, and it makes them feel that they are an important part of the routine with an active role. In turn children feel appreciated or needed and therefore are more likely to help you going forward. It also helps to increase their self-esteem and confidence.

6. Childhood Chores = Better Adulting

The most obvious benefit to learning chores as kids is that it makes transitioning into independent adults easier. Although not all chores and appliances are suitable for all ages, giving appropriate chores creates independence and shows them exactly how to care for themselves and their surroundings, traits that they need as adults.

Using Chore Charts for Kids in the Best Way

These weekly chore charts for kids will help you to stay organised and show your kids exactly what they need to do and when. Plus, it keeps you organised too so everyone has their own responsibilities.

1.Keep a Routine

Routines make things easier for kids, particularly if they are learning new tasks so try to incorporate their new chores into a routine. For example, clearing away plates after dinner or making their bed in the morning. Just be sure it fits into their day properly so it doesn’t cause added stress or make you late.

2. Involve Them

When you’re deciding on chores, involve them in the process and let them help decide which chores are best for them and when. If there are any they are unsure of, you can discuss it first and show them properly before it gets to the deadline of them having to complete it.

3. Keep it Consistent

It’s better to keep things consistent by giving the same chores each week, that way a routine can develop, they can figure out new ways of doing the chores themselves and it helps developing responsibility.

4. Set Expectations

Clearly outline when each chore needs to be done. The sheets have days on them but you might also want to allocate that they need to be done in the morning or evening of that day. You should be giving gentle reminders but not nagging and clear expectations of the chores early on can help alleviate any issues.

5. Allow Them to Check Things Off Themselves

Part of developing responsibility and independence is being able to establish things for themselves so allow your kids to check off the items they have done. This could be with a pen or pencil that is available to them but kids love checking off a list!

6. Keep it At Their Level

Keeping the list at their level helps them to check back and use their initiative to remember and do chores themselves. If the list is too high they won’t even consider looking at it and will often forget. Doors make great places for chores lists, as well as in front of the fridge or a blank wall in the kitchen.