Child Discipline - A Tip For Chores
Child discipline is an ongoing issue when getting your children to do
chores. And I have to admit, it is no easy task. Most kids hate doing chores. That's just the way it is. But the bottom line
is kids need to do chores for many reasons. They need to learn to help around the house instead of leaving everything to poor
old mum or dad.
OK, so we know that kids need to do chores
and we know that they hate doing chores. So what now? Well what if the kids didn't really think that they were doing chores
at all? Huh? Allow me to explain. OK, a chore is a chore and a game is a game. So let me tell you what I did with my children
last week:
The four kids arrived home from school. I said
to them, "OK guys, we are going to play a game of Snakes and Ladders". I presented them with a board that I had
made with loads of snakes and ladders on them. It was just a piece of paper nevertheless it worked.
Next to the board was a list of chores. Each chore had a numerical value beside
it. Cleaning the toilet was worth five points. Bringing in the washing was worth ten points. When you completed the chore
to my satisfaction you could move forward the designated number of spots on the game board. There were about 30 small tasks
needing to be done. I made sure the numbers were all different so they could earn as many or as few points as they wanted
to get the ladders and get to the top quickly.
I had already
captured my kids' attention. They were intruiged. The oldest two had already started scheming about how they could beat their
younger siblings to the top and get the prize that I had for the winner. The kids were all excited before the game even started.
They were ready to do their chores very quickly to finish the game.
Now I know you might think that I went to a lot of work. Actually it took me about ten minutes to prepare the game.
Plus I kept it for another time anyhow. But the issue is the kids loved the idea and cheerfully did their chores. Note "cheerfully"
did their chores. If something works, you need to do it. OK?
I
have four children and there is often arguing over who does which chore. So this method works for me. I'm sure you could do
it on a smaller scale with fewer children. You can even join in and play the game with your kids.
This is just one of my innovative ways of getting children to be happy about doing chores. Work with your kids, not
against them and child discipline will be so much easier.
Kim Patrick is a single mother with four children, living in Queensland, Australia.
She is a seminar speaker, author and parent coach, and runs an online mentoring program for parents. She is also creator of
the "My Sleeping Angel" CD series, aimed at facilitating behavioural changes in children while they sleep. Kim has
been in Australian magazines and also appeared on national television for her ability to help parents with their children.
Her web site is http://www.yourchildcanbehave.com
