1) Let the children work beside you. This is the easiest way for them to learn. If you are folding the laundry, let them do it with you. Even the youngest can learn to find and sort socks. Older ones can fold small towels and gradually work up to more complicated folding. Same goes for other chores. Dust the furniture together, assigning the youngest ones things they can reach like the bases of lamps or the table legs. Working together insures everyone is doing their part. No one can slack off if you are all together. You can still assign small jobs to do alone such as making a bed or putting away a stack of laundry, but the majority of work is done together.
2) Teach proper techniques patiently. Nothing steals the joy more than a grumpy, impatient mom! I am guilty of this often. However, it is better to take the time to show a child how something should be done than to get angry and take over the job yourself.
3) Make working a habit. Giving the children regular work, helps form the habit. If giving chores is only an occasional thing, it can seem like a punishment. If you require a child to clear their dishes after EVERY meal and put their clothes away EVERY time they change, good habits are formed. Children can easily form the opinion that work is for Dad and Mom and play is for them! Giving them regular work to do, even if it is different tasks every day, helps them realize work is a regular part of life and expected of everyone.
4) Model good work habits yourself. If you constantly complain about your work or make work seem like a burden, the attitude can rub off on your children. The Bible says, "A joyful heart is good medicine," and that certainly applies in this situation!
This is a great way to look and think about things! I should print it off and hang on my bulletin board!
ReplyDeleteGod bless-
Amanda