Summer chores: Save your house from chaos this summer

This paid piece is sponsored by Avera. 

You may have noticed the usual household mess rising to a fever pitch these past few weeks with your kids home.

Don’t give up just yet. Add chores to the list of your kids’ daily duties.

Chores are a great way to teach kids of all ages responsibility. It shows that you can work together as a family.

Twila Perkinson, a certified child life specialist at Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center, gives you tips on how to get kids of all ages into the mix.

Set realistic expectations

Introducing chores is a process and will vary depending on how independent your child is. You may still need to plan and motivate your child to help – for example, while you’re folding towels, give them the more manageable washcloths – or supervise during the process such as guiding them through the steps of making the bed.

• Don’t make chores overwhelming. Break it into small parts, and let your child master one task before adding another.
• Make the job clear, including expectations and a deadline to have it finished.
• Consider your child’s learning style. Does your child need to see it demonstrated and try it – hands-on learning – or have the steps explained verbally?
• Ask what chores they’d prefer to do. Children like to have input into decisions.

What not to do

If you’re trying to teach chores and it doesn’t go as expected, avoid nagging, blaming or making empty threats.

Instead, use logical consequences. For example, a child who repeatedly forgets to put a bike away at the end of the day might not be allowed to use the bike for a few days. Clarify consequences before a child slips up.

Use only consequences you will carry out with consistency. Taking away a tween’s phone may be more of a hardship on you if you can’t reach them.

If a child forgets to do a chore on time or refuses to do it, say nothing and simply apply the consequences. Do NOT do the work. This teaches your child that you won’t follow through and they can get out of chores.

Chores, according to age

Here’s where to start. As you can see, it’s never too early to foster a helping attitude.

Age 9-24 months

• Simple errands like “Bring the diaper here” or “Put the blocks in the bucket, please.”
• Put dirty clothes in hamper or laundry basket.

Age 2+

• Clean up what they drop after eating.
• Help feed pets with pre-measured amounts.
• Put away shoes.

Age 4-6

• Pull up the covers on the bed, put pillow at top.
• Carry groceries into the house, even if it is one or two items at a time.
• Help set the table before and clear the table after meals.

Age 7-9

• Put away own laundry.
• Dust furniture.
• Make their own snack.
• Clean bedroom.
• Pick up after pets.
• Yardwork such as weeding, raking.

Age 10+

• Load and unload dishwasher; wash dishes.
• Take out the trash.
• Vacuum; clean kitchen counters and bathroom sink.
• Help with meal preparation.
• Put away groceries.
• Yardwork, including mowing the lawn.

Get more tips from our family life educators when you sign up for Avera Balance emails.