A Secret to Creating a Lifelong Close Relationship with your Child (Part 4)

         Shared Work

          Small children love nothing more than to help with chores around the house. Of course, they cannot do a job like a grown up can, but still they like participating in doing real work around the house with their parents. If they don’t, it’s probably because a grown up taught them not to like doing work. Some parents push the children out of the way. Others are over critical of mistakes their children make while trying.

          Parents who create a positive atmosphere at home invite their children to join them in the daily tasks that need to be done at home that range from cooking to cleaning. They teach them to do the jobs they are capable of doing or to do a part of a job that is appropriate for them to do. It might include filling a bucket with water or wiping a table or watering a plant or washing the veggies before they are cooked. Although the job may not be done perfectly when first learning, these parents are eager for their children to participate. They take time to show their children what the job requires and are willing to demonstrate and help has needed. They are patient and ready to praise them for their efforts. These parents know that even though their children are not able to do a perfect job now, in time, their hands will become skilled in doing all the work that needs to be done at home and their children will eventually become a blessing and a big help as they grow older.

 

         Those parents who invite their children to help in the house chores with positive feelings will have children who are helpful as they grow up.

         How was it at home when you were a child? Did your parents give you chores? Did they make it enjoyable for you? Do you have a story in which you failed? Why do some parents hesitate to allow children to work beside them?

         Before leaving you this time I’d like to make a note about maids. As wonderful as having paid house help is, children need to still be given the gift of knowing how to work…of contributing  to the good of the family through doing the ordinary chores of daily life at home.

 Blessings,

Darren Czeczuga.

Educational Consultant