Being there for your kids - Part of Being a Family

Episode Date: May 6, 2019

Everybody who says, "yaay. We get to do household chores today," raise your hand. I didn't think so. And yet, all families have chores to do. The saying "more hands, less work" is true. Also, we parents need to get our kids involved to help teach them order, cleanliness, organization, and accountability. Help younger children until they get the hang of it. Assign older children according to their abilities and age. Active listen the griping, but persist. It's one of those "you'll thank me later" moments where you are preparing your child to be an adult, in a meaningful relationship, and passing blessings on to their children. Doing chores are both part of being a family and chock full of teachable moments.

Hi, I'm Dr. John Robinson, and this is Teachable Mom. Are chores a sticking point in your home? Do you get that? Ma, do I have to refrain every time you bring chores up? Well, everybody who loves chores, raise your hand. No, I didn't think so. Charlie was the wild child of the Miller's three daughters, ages 2, 8, and 10. Her little sister was Miss Prissy, and her older sister was all that. So Charlie got to do her own thing. She was a roughhouse time. boy who would prefer tackle to touch football. It landed her in the principal's office more than once for being too rough during gym class. Mom, Charlene, after whom Charlie was named, was firm to her daughter that Saturday morning as the Miller family arose. Yes, sweetheart, you have to, she explained. Saturday mornings around here are family cleanup, and well, you're kind of part of the family. Then I want to divorce, you know, from the family. That way I don't have to do stupid chores on Saturday morning. Tommy and I are building a tree house today, and we've got to get started like right now. Charlie chuckled to herself and then sighed, baby, you know it doesn't work that way.

Besides, we would all miss you terribly, she added, as she moved in to tickle her daughter's sides. Charlie squealed and then she got out of her bed. Chor should not only be a part of the fabric of family life, they also helped to form lasting bonds, build responsibility, and are a source of accountability, consistency, and pride. As soon as your children are able to walk, they are able to help with house cleanup. At first, with a two-year-old, you pick up her stuffed animals with her and show her where to store them. With practice, you step away and she picks up more of the load. Not only does this activity have family benefits, it reinforces her worth, improves her eye-hand coordination, and gives her bragging rights on a job well done. With older children, use a targeted

family meeting to outline Saturday morning chores and then divvy them up. Parents determine the quality of the chore completion and can require a redo if necessary. Chore completion is outside of allowance or other pay. We don't get paid for doing our part of family cleanup. Also, chores are outside of daily straightening, organizing, and order. Chore completion can be a part of the yuck factor in your family, or it can be a bonding factor. Regardless, yeah, you have to. I'm Dr. Jonathan C. Robinson, licensed clinical psychologist and Christian author of Teachable Moments, Building Blocks of Christian Parenting. And this has been Teachable Moments. Teachable Moments, Building Blocks of Christian Parenting, is available online at AmazonBooks.com and in local and national bookstores. More on Dr. Robinson at

TMC-P-I-N-C.com.