Ensuring that there are regular chores for my kids to do is not a walk in the park. There are days that I could easily give up. But having regular, simple, everyday chores are important to a child’s wellbeing, growth and sense of responsibility. And it can also help to give you a break too. Here is our story…
You can read the first part of this story here…
Chores For My Kids: The Morning Rush
Mummy (10 years parenting)
My children are not helpless. They know how to look for things, pick up things, wash things and move things. Most of the time.
But then there are the mornings like this one; the mornings that we are all rushing around trying to get ready for school and work, when suddenly they seem to forget all their normal, everyday chores.
“Mum, there aren’t any clean bowls!” Tomos shouts up from the kitchen.
“Try the dishwasher!”
“The dishwasher is dirty.” He shouts up again. Any particular nursery rhyme springing to mind, dear Henry?
“Try the sink!” I call back down.
“The sink is empty!”
You see what I mean – why do I bother?
“Mum! I need more cereal!” Luc cries from the table.
“It’s in the cupboard.”
“Mum, there’s no more cereal in the cupboard.” Luc yells back.
“Then add it to the shopping list!”
Why is it when they run out of their favourite biscuits or chocolate that I know about it straight away – but the essential stuff like milk, cereal, bread… it’s always when it’s completely gone and on the mornings we are in a rush.
“Mum! It’s rugby today. I need my joggers and t-shirt!” Tomos announces.
And of course it’s rugby day.
“They are in your cupboard, rescued from your bag, washed, folded and put away.”
“I can’t see them!”
Well, no surprises there. They can find every bit of onion in dinner to pick out. But clothes in your own wardrobe? Well that’s a mystery.
“Look harder! I’m trying to write the shopping list.”
“Found them! Where’s my shoes?” Tomos clatters down the stairs, stuffing clothes into his rugby bag.
I mean why do I bother folding?
“I need my shoes and my coat! Mum!”
“I’m on strike. Ask Dad!”
“Dad, why is Mum on strike?” He asks cheekily.
He thinks he’s so funny.
Fortunately, it’s Wednesday.
Why Finding Chores for My Kids Also Helps Me
Parental burn-out and exhaustion can sometimes lead to us doing more of the work around the home and it can be a hard cycle to break – here is a great article to consider how your own routine might be affecting your ability to share out the family chores.
Available Now! – Read our 5 Ways that Simple Chores Make a Big Difference today!
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