Should Your Teen Do Chores? 7 Ways Chores Benefit Your Children

Chores. It’s a dirty job but someone needs to do it. Should it always be you? Are there any benefits that outweigh the amount of nagging and complaining that often accompanies getting your teen to help out?

I am going to share with you two simple reasons why chores are needed. I’ll also share the benefits of your kids doing chores, for both them and you, as well as a free checklist you can print off for ideas of what they can do around the house.

Why Children Should Do Chores

There are some very simple reasons why children should do chores, they are:

1. Helping around the house teaches children they are responsible for their actions, including the mess they create.
2. Doing chores teaches kids valuable life skills they need to learn.

Chores Teach Kids Responsibility

If you spill something, you don’t expect someone else to clean it up, do you? Why do you feel that way? It’s because you’ve been taught if you make a mess, clean it up.

Even if we spend some time cleaning up our house fast before company arrives, we understand that messes are part of life and need to be cleaned up.

We need to teach our kids at a young age to be responsible for their actions. Everyone makes mistakes and spills something. The kind and responsible thing to do is to clean it up.

Inviting our kids to pitch in and clean up around the house by assigning chores just makes sense.

My #1 Tip For House Cleaning And Chores

I’ve been working and homeschooling for over 14 years, and the one thing that has helped me is creating a cleaning plan. I love using printable planners to help me figure out the best cleaning schedule.

Check out this Cleaning Planner For Busy Moms. Inside you’ll find printable tools to help you stay focused and get things done! And you’ll also find chore ideas for all ages. Take the guesswork out of what to chores to assign your kids with this cleaning planner.

Tips For Assigning Chores For Little Kids:

When it comes to assigning chores for younger kids is to remember to adjust your expectations!

1. Start young through games. For example, give them one toy at a time and cheer like a maniac when they put it away where it belongs.
2. Make it part of life. A daily routine. Don’t label it chores and make it a bad thing.
3. Make it a game and let them help you. Little ones can help make the bed, put clothes in the laundry basket (basketball game style), load the dishwasher, and all sorts of little jobs.

Tips For Assigning Chores For Older Children Chore Tips:

When it comes to teens, it is really important to make sure they understand why the chore needs to be done and it needs to be something they see is a skill they will use.

1. Once helping becomes routine, add in a chore or two. I label “chores” as extra things, such as feeding the dog, sweeping the floor, bringing in wood, etc. They are still expected to pick up after themselves. (nagging reminders are sometimes needed, I am afraid) But assigning one chore each day allows for a routine to be established and consistent.
2. Try to give them a choice, which allows them to feel like they get a say in the matter. For example, I will list things that need to be done and let them pick what they do. This appeals to the fact that teenagers like to have control over the situation. This gives them that.

6 Ways To Get Children To Help Around The House At Any Age:

1. Praise-Find something good to say, even if you can only praise the effort they put in.
2. Make them feel part of the team
3. If it is not done up to your standards that is okay if it is their best
4. Let them do it their way. It might not be your way but does it get the job done?
5. Give them jobs they can do at their ability. Difficult jobs will make them frustrated. Easy jobs will make them bored.
6. Let them know you appreciate all their help.

Assigning Chores To Teens Teaches Them Life Skills

The reality is one day, children will move out, and you may not always be here to teach them what they need to know. I want my children to be able to do things for themselves, including learning to clean their living area.

One of the things that amazed me in returning to work is how many young people (18+) that do not know how to do simple household chores.

For example, they did not know how to:

• Dust, how to use a Swiffer duster for the floor
• Use a washing machine or the dryer
• Use a vacuum cleaner
• How to make a bed
• How to change sheets
• How to cook a simple meal 

Please note: I am not talking about little children. These are young people with jobs, cars, and a life. They are leaving the safe zone of home and going to university in September.

I feel bad for them. I wonder, how will they cope? Who is going to cook for them? Clean for them?

The reality of the situation is they will probably eat out, they will Google how to do things, and they will be alright. However, as a parent, I feel strongly that it is my job as a parent to prepare my child for life.

That is why my children are taught to do household chores, both inside and outside. I try to make sure they learn and rotate the chores accordingly.

One of the easiest ways for me to do this is to get them involved, plus the bonus is I get to spend time with them. They clean with me, learn to cook with me, learn with me (and daddy too.)

The result is now I have pre-teenagers and teenagers that can do, and are continuing to learn, how to take care of a house and themselves.

Why I Don’t Pay My Kids To Do Chores

Some people feel that they need to pay their children to do chores. They feel that in this way, they learn how to earn money at a young age. That hard work pays off. Literally.

Others feel that paying a child teaches them to do work only for a monetary reward. When they get enough money, why work?

So be sure to focus on a reward that fits you and your family’s morals.

We do not pay our kids to do chores. They do get a monthly allowance. We choose to keep the two separate.

Do what is right for your family.

Why I Don’t Argue With My Teens

Taylor asked a great question, “Any tips on getting them to help out right away rather than arguing with them for 10 minutes just to have an angry teenager doing a simple chore?”

Simply put, I don’t argue with my kids about chores.  Instead, I have strict consequences set up and I *always* follow through even if I want to change my mind later. I don’t argue with them but let them choose.

For example, they must complete their chores by the end of the day. If they don’t then they get the consequences of not doing them. So be sure to choose something you can follow through with.

Some ideas might be no screen time until they are done, extra chores, earlier bedtime, etc. Whatever works for you.

Then stick to it. Don’t give in. Don’t back down. This is vital. Why? If you give in after they whine, throw a fit, or argue for an hour…then kids will learn. They will continue to argue, whine, throw a fit, etc. It worked before they assume it will work again.

Once they get the point, you are serious, they usually will just do it. After all, 10 minutes of work or losing the Xbox for a day? Which one would you take?

Keep in mind: This works for us. It might not work for you.  There are a lot of ideas, take what might work and chuck the rest-guilt free!

Lastly, I try to give them as much control as I can. For example, I have a list of  8 things that need to be done. I tell them to take turns choosing each one chore. Back and forth until all 8 are spoken for.  This puts the control in their hands but I still get help.

How Chores Benefit Children

1. Builds self-confidence
2. Learn to be independent
3. Know when to ask for help
4. Research how to do something new
5. Able to contribute to the family
6. Learn to be part of a team
7. Help out when staying at someone else house

How Cores Benefit You

1. Save time-less time picking up
2. Valuable time with your teenager teaching
3. Peace of mind which is truly priceless

Doing chores benefits both you and your teen in many ways. It is worth the time and effort on your part to teach them how to do things around the house, both inside and outside.

By taking the time to assign chores, you are instilling a great work ethic in your child, preparing them for life, building self-confidence, and giving them skills to succeed in life.

You also give yourself time to spend with your child in our busy schedules and peace of mind knowing they have the skills needed for life.

Win: win

So go ahead and print off the list of ideas and get a cleaning schedule that will work for you and your family. Trust me, your child will thank you. Maybe not today but maybe in 20 years or so.  😉

I would love to hear your thoughts on the matter, what’s your take on chores for teens?

If you are looking for a planner to help you conquer your cleaning chaos, check out this planner for busy moms.

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