Involving our children in the day-to-day routine household tasks can be a fun, yet trying time in the world of parenthood.

Sometimes it feels easier to just “do it ourselves,” but in the long run, we will be so glad we taught our children the proper way to do chores. And, if we do it right, the learning experience can be a fun adventure for everyone!

When teaching our children new tasks, there are a few things we need to remember:

• Remember you are the teacher and helper.
• When we involve our children in our day-to-day tasks, we MUST leave our perfect expectations at the door. No child is going to do it right the first time, and he or she is certainly not going to do it “our” way.
• When we “train our child in the way he should go…” we need to teach him the proper way to do the chore, without correcting or changing what he has done. As long as the chore is properly done, there is no need to “fix” it.
• Enjoy teaching your child. It is so much fun to watch them learn and grow in knowledge and wisdom! Enjoy this time.
• Encourage your child. Let him know what a good job he is doing.
• Tell her how much you appreciate her and her hard work. Make sure your child knows you are proud of her.
• Brag on your child… in front of him. Whether it is to your spouse, parents, family, friends, whoever! I know you will brag on your child anyway, but make sure he hears some of that bragging.
• Remember to have patience. Little hands do not move as quickly as ours, and our children also have not had as much “practice” as we have.

(photo by Shavar Ross)