ORLANDO, Fla – Chores. Nobody likes them, young or old! According to a survey, only around 28% of parents report making their children regularly do chores, compared to 82% of parents who did chores as kids themselves.
But did you know it can be beneficial for them?
According to an ongoing 85-year Harvard Research study, chores help kids develop greater self-worth, confidence, work ethic, and empathy for others.
“If you’re teaching a child a basic laundry skill, they’re going to use that in their future,” said Abby McCarthy, a school psychologist.
You can start with simple things like picking up toys and placing them in a storage bin. As they get older, include bigger chores like vacuuming the floors or washing the dishes.
But it can be tough to motivate them. So, what works? How about money?
The average hourly rate for children who earn an allowance based on chores is $6 a week.
Experts suggest breaking them into:
- Easy chores like picking up toys earn 50 cents
- Intermediate chores like doing the dishes or dusting earn $2
- Complex tasks like mowing the lawn can run up to $5
The Greenlight app can help teach kids to earn, save and spend money wisely.
And remember, even the small chores can deliver big rewards.
“If you already assume that responsibility from a young age, it really helps you as you become older and assume more responsibility,” explained McCarthy.
If you want to teach your kids about completing tasks on time, the Hire and Fire app sets deadlines for chores. If they’re late, you can “fire” them which teaches the importance of meeting deadlines.