It can be counterproductive to the cleanliness of our homes to have our little ones “help,” but setting expectations early is worth the trouble. Here’s how to right-size the task for each age, plus how to deal with all the whining that may result.
Are chores an age-appropriate expectation for little ones? It’s not easy to get buy-in from them, but it’s definitely worth it. One study showed that the single best predictor of young adults’ success in their mid-20s was whether they participated in household tasks when they were three or four.
So the best approach is to have our kids start "helping" early and often. In this episode we talk about
Here are links to some writing on the topic that we discuss in this episode:
Sarah Aguirre for The Spruce: Age-Appropriate Chores for Kids Ages 2 to 18
The Center For Parenting Education: The Benefits of Chores
Barbara Coloroso: Kids Are Worth It! : Giving Your Child The Gift Of Inner Discipline
No-Guilt Mom: Get Kids to do Chores: 5 Ways to Respond When They Don’t Want To
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