Article from the Teaching Home e-mag
Each member of the family can and should have responsibilities that make a contribution to the success of the whole family.
We can use chores as double duty — to keep our homes running efficiently and to teach our children responsibility. While it is never too late, the younger you start training your children to work, the better.
1. First, Teach Your Children what God Says about Work.
Do a Bible study using the references listed. They provide positive and negative examples and motivations to work. Genesis 1:26, 28; 2:15; 3:19; Exodus 20:9; Psalm 128:2; Proverbs 10:4, 5; 12:11; 13:4; 14:23; 20:13; 26:13-16; 28:19; 31:10-31; Ecclesiastes 5:12; 9:10; Acts 20:34, 35; Ephesians 4:28; I Thessalonians 4:11, 12; II Thessalonians 3:10-13.
2. Set High Expectations & Attitudes.
Be aware that you may unconsciously pass on to your child your mentality, or set of presuppositions, about work.
* Wrong: Children should only play and please themselves throughout their childhood.
* Wrong: Children cannot help but be selfish and unhelpful.
* Wrong: Work is an undesirable activity and is a punishment.
* Correct: Everyone should contribute to the well-being of all, no matter what their ages and ability levels are.
* Correct: Work can be fun. We can make a game out of putting things away and helping.
* Correct: It is a privilege to have the ability to work.
3. Teach Your Child How To Work.
* Take time to teach your child how to do a specific chore by explaining and modeling it for him and then observing him do it.
* Make chore cards with the name of the chore on one side and the necessary steps and cleaning agents on the back.
4. Build a Ramp of Responsibility.
Your child will go from being completely dependent at birth to being responsible for his own family in about 20 years. Make a gradual ramp for him to climb by gradually assigning more responsibility as he matures.
* Assign reasonable chores for each person in your family and specify when the work is to be done.
* A chart or card system is very helpful.
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* Toddlers can pick up toys and clothes, as well as carry things for you.
* Young children can do simple chores such as set the table, make a bed, help dry or put away dishes, fill a pet’s dish, clear his own dishes after a meal, and fold and put away laundry.
* Older children and teens can do laundry and dishes, do lawn work, cook, and care for, or help teach, younger siblings.
5. Work Together.
Children learn best from parents who are closely involved with them in work, play, conversation, study, and all of life.
* Young children especially love to be with you and work with you.
* Do chores together at the same time to avoid a feeling of resentment when one child works while others do not.
* Learn to have a good time working together, listening to music, singing, or having someone read to you while you work.
* Family goals with family rewards encourage harmony, teamwork, and responsibility.
6. Provide Incentives.
While acknowledging that some work is expected of each family member to maintain the home, incentives can also give a little extra motivation.
* Systems that include both positive and negative incentives emphasize responsibility in all areas of life.
* Change systems of incentives from time to time to keep interest up.
* Award payment (or points) for responsibilities reached and fines (or decreased points) for those not done.
* Use an “Earn Me” system for extra work. Tape a coin to a card describing the job for someone to claim.
7. Train Children To Go the Second Mile.
Instead of having problems of “fairness,” teach your child to exemplify a spirit of love in serving others.
* Ask your children to fill in for one another when one child is sick.
* Encourage your children to help each other with their work.
* Discourage an attitude of “that’s not my job.”
* Help your children find ways to volunteer to help others in need.
Many of the above ideas were excerpted from an online article by Joy Marie Dunlap. Read the complete article at:
http://www.teachinghome.com/supplement/summer00/training.cfm
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