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| |    Chores for School-Age Children by Susan E. Davis and Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P. reviewed by Laura Jana, M.D., F.A.A.P. By the time your child is in school, he'll be able to handle chores that are more substantial than what he did around the house as a preschooler. These chores help teach your child a number of worthwhile lessons: that helping others is as important as being helped, that life includes some unpleasant (or just mandatory) tasks, and that belonging to a group--whether it's the family, a workplace, or a community--involves making some contributions. Although your child's growing sense of responsibility and independence will allow him to tackle more of these jobs by himself, you shouldn't expect him to work independently all the time; he'll still need your help and supervision from time to time, which is a good thing--chores that are done along with a parent can foster the special type of closeness that comes from working side by side. Ready for more responsibility School-age children should be capable of taking care of their own belongings, putting dirty clothes in the hamper, and picking up toys every night. Depending on their age, physical strength, and maturity, they also can be given more demanding tasks, including:
School-age children are able to develop a general sense of what is expected of them when it comes to chores--that the table is set every night, for instance, while plants are watered every few days, and the car is washed every week or two. Still, most need a little nudging to spring into action and keep their duties straight. You can cut down on your aggravation--and the need to nag--by making a chart of each family member's responsibilities, and post it in a well-used area, such as the kitchen. You can even make a monthly, calendar-type chart on the computer (or by hand) and have everyone initial each chore as they complete it. And remember that thanking your kids each time they remember their chores on their own can provide crucial positive reinforcement. Keep it fun Your approach toward chores is key to helping your children accept them as a natural and rewarding part of life. If you and your spouse complain about the drudgery of keeping house, your kids are sure to adopt that negative view, also, and become more resistant to doing their own jobs. And if you take a nagging or critical tone with them, they'll develop a bad attitude toward the whole subject. Instead, whenever possible, try to give your children chores that they'll enjoy, and rotate both the good jobs and the ones that no one especially likes. Besides occasionally working alongside your children, encourage siblings to do some chores together so they can enjoy each other's company and practice teamwork. Put on lively music, have contests to see who can finish their tasks first, or schedule a little treat at the end of chore day (like going out for ice cream or watching a video together). You don't have to make everything fun all the time-that's simply not realistic-but by maintaining an upbeat and matter-of-fact attitude towards household chores, you can do a lot to keep your helpers whistling while they work. Money for chores In general, it's not wise to use allowance as a payment for routine household chores because the purposes of jobs and allowance are so very different: Parents give allowances so that children can learn to handle money, albeit a small amount of money. Household jobs, on the other hand, teach children specific skills, as well as a sense of responsibility. Paying a child for regular chores takes away the satisfaction that comes from contributing to the family and doing a job well. That's not to say children should never be paid for work, however, especially when they reach the age when they can handle substantial projects. Paying children for special jobs--like cleaning for a party, clearing brush from the backyard, building a shed, painting a room, or polishing silver for a holiday dinner--can be a good introduction to the working world and help them save money for a special toy or trip. Older children also might earn some money by pet- or plant-sitting, gardening, or washing a car for neighbors. (Some parents might want to ask children to do some of this extra work without pay as well, just for the sake of helping out.) Parents can use these opportunities to coach their children in professional "people skills," such as being polite and punctual, and performing their duties to the best of their abilities.
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