Here it is Saturday and I am writing up my kid's list of chores. The list I give them of things they must do before the end of the day. No matter how long I have been doing this, this list still provokes unhappiness. When I grew up I had no chores. Every now and then I would be told to vacuum or do some dusting, but that was about it. Nothing regular. No real chores. Now, here I am giving my kids weekly chores. The mean mom.
As I am sitting here thinking I am a mean mom, I am thinking of the reasons I do this. Here is what I have come up with. First of all my thought is if they help around the house maybe they will respect it a little more. Second, my kids like to do and have a lot of things that cost money. For instance, my 12 year-old's phone. We pay for his phone, but in return we expect him to help out around the house. Third, to teach a little responsibility. Lastly, there is no way I would be able to keep this place up myself!
I know some people who don't give their kids any regular chores (believe me, my kids let me know this). Some people still make their 15-year-old's bed! Is it wrong to expect this of kids?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
10 opinions:
Nope! You are not wrong in my opinion.
I don't give my girls a chore list, but they are expected to do things when they are told or asked. Vacuum, cat box, Trash, bathrooms..blah blah blah blah.
When they give me grief about it, I remind them that I'm not about to give them a free ride. And they better appreciate how easy they have it right now, because when they are out on their own....Yeah...You get it.
I'm with ya on the chores.
Good on ya!
~Dawn
You are definitely NOT wrong. Honestly, I had chores all of my life growing up and I really think it taught me some responsibility. I have a friend who's parents did everything for him, and in college he never did anything...and I don't think it was because he was purposely not cleaning the shower etc, but because he just didn't realize he NEEDED to...if that makes sense. He was so used to things just magically happening, that he honestly didn't realize that it wouldn't get done if he didn't do it. So, he lived in filth.
Anyway, those are just my two cents..I hated them growing up, but now that I'm an adult, I'm really glad my parents had me do them!
So, don't feel bad! You're doing the right thing :)
Jenny :)
PS - thanks for following my blog!
Oh no..you are not wrong! If you don't teach them a little responsibility who will? If your a mean mommy then I need to join your club!
Not wrong at all! Kids need to be taught responsibility and they need to display some.
And thanmks so much for stopping by Theta Mom! :)
I know a mother who won't allow her 15 yr old son to get a job because it would interfere with homework and sports activities. That, to me, is insanity. Too many parents baby their kids these days. 100 years ago people had jobs and were on their own by the time they were 16. This whole "dumbing down" of our kids makes me nuts. Kids need MORE responsibility, not less. Good for you for giving them chores!
I think kids need to have chores. I don't want me kids growing up and not knowing how to live on their own. Besides the fact that I am not a maid, they will make more of a mess if I did everything. This way the keep the mess to a minimum, at least in theory.
1st thanks for stopping by Happily Blended. 2nd I completely agree with what you are doing. I think the younger you starts your kids off doing chores the more likely they will continue to do the chores into teen age years. I have always had my children help me with chores from the earliest interest they have shown, pretty much around age 1-2 each of my three children have shown an interest in helping me a chore or two and eventually as they got and get older they take on some chores based on their age levels. Right now they are 7, 3 and 1 so reality is they don't do "a lot" but they do help with those they can't do alone! I think it's great that you do this!
I think chores are great! Esp. as the kids get older, they can be expected to do more and it teaches them lots of virtues like respect, responsibility, etc. Good job, Dalia! You sound like an awesome mom.
You are a great MOM! I think handing out chores skips a generation. When I was young I automatically did all those things, but I agree, kids don't won't to be automatic anymore. Keep up the good work!
Good Day! Robert Pappas . payday loans
Post a Comment