Kids thrive on responsibility and it helps their self esteem as well as their independence. It began with little things like asking Ila to watch Ava while I ran upstairs. Then while I took a shower. Now she tends to her if she is crying telling her “it’s OK baby” or patting her back while she is coughing. She even gets a towel and cleans up her spilled milk or the milk on her face. She likes to help and said she wants to take care of her. That Ava is her baby.
We have moved on to chores. Ila helps with sweeping and cleaning up her toys and trash. She helps walk the dog and she makes her bed every morning. And she is so excited that she is able to accomplish these tasks. She is so proud and you can tell she has an increased sense of self esteem. And even thanks me for letting her helping doing chores.
Even though she is only 2.5 years old she is ready and able to help and I encourage her because it is proven to help her in the long run.
Giving kids chores can build self-esteem. Getting a chore done and doing it well can give your child a major sense of accomplishment. My 7-year-old vacuums and cleans the floor every weekend with a microfiber cloth. He sometimes grumbles when he’s not in the mood to do work, but he usually gets into it once he gets started. And the look of satisfaction he gets on his face when he wrangles piles of dust bunnies: Priceless.
Giving kids chores can teach the importance of completing an assigned job. This will become more useful as your child gets older and has more responsibilities at school and at home.
Giving kids chores can emphasize the value of keeping things clean and organized. It’s easier to find things — and think clearly — when your environment is less cluttered.
Giving kids chores can set a pattern of helping around the house. Once you get your child into the household chore habit, it’ll become a part of his life that will continue into the teen years and beyond.
Giving kids chores can give him a sense of being part of the household “team.” When my son asks why he has to do a chore, I explain that he’s a part of the family, and everyone in the family must do his share. By giving him the “we’re all in this together” way of looking at things, he is more likely to see his work as part of something bigger. He’s also less likely to see household chores as something he’s being singled out and forced to do since everyone is working together.
Even on a walk yesterday Ila ran out of milk and I offered her Ava’s milk and Ila said “no its Ava’s she needs it”.