Comments on: Children and Chores http://www.momstimeouts.com/2007/06/20/children-and-chores It's Good to Be a Little Selfish—It Actually Makes You a Better Mother Sat, 22 Nov 2008 08:49:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Karly Pitman http://www.momstimeouts.com/2007/06/20/children-and-chores#comment-410 Karly Pitman Thu, 20 Sep 2007 19:34:59 +0000 http://www.momstimeouts.com/2007/06/20/children-and-chores#comment-410 I sometimes feel like I'm parenting in the dark ages, because of the amount of chores that I expect my children to help with in running our household, compared to other families. I have four children, ages 10 months to 10 years, and aside from the baby, they all have chores. When I talk with other moms, even moms with multiple children like myself, it's obvious that my family is the anomaly. I find such comfort when I find other families who expect their children to help with chores, so I appreciate your post and bringing this subject up for dialogue. I look at chores and household management as everyone's responsibilty. Who ever said that being a mother implied taking on all of this work, solo? My children fuss and moan regularly about chores, but, honestly, so do I sometimes: there are many nights when I groan about cooking another meal. I keep reminding my children that it's important that everyone pitches in and share the work, just as well all share the fun and the rewards. I also remind them that they don't have to like their chores, although accepting them makes for an easier time, for their own sake. I want to raise children who can not only think for themselves, but also take care of themselves. And even if they leave home and have a cleaning service and other household support, which I believe is perfectly acceptable, it's still important to know how to do things yourself. I sometimes feel like I’m parenting in the dark ages, because of the amount of chores that I expect my children to help with in running our household, compared to other families. I have four children, ages 10 months to 10 years, and aside from the baby, they all have chores. When I talk with other moms, even moms with multiple children like myself, it’s obvious that my family is the anomaly. I find such comfort when I find other families who expect their children to help with chores, so I appreciate your post and bringing this subject up for dialogue.

I look at chores and household management as everyone’s responsibilty. Who ever said that being a mother implied taking on all of this work, solo? My children fuss and moan regularly about chores, but, honestly, so do I sometimes: there are many nights when I groan about cooking another meal. I keep reminding my children that it’s important that everyone pitches in and share the work, just as well all share the fun and the rewards. I also remind them that they don’t have to like their chores, although accepting them makes for an easier time, for their own sake.

I want to raise children who can not only think for themselves, but also take care of themselves. And even if they leave home and have a cleaning service and other household support, which I believe is perfectly acceptable, it’s still important to know how to do things yourself.

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