It's ironic how I sit here in a hole - literally - with stuff piled around me, clothes, books, toys, mugs etc, and I am here on the computer! I find I can always find time to be on the computer but not to pick up toys and clothes. I think I want the kids to do it but then when they get home I hate to interrupt their playing b/c they don't get much time to do that. Then when I do ask they throw a fit so I ask less and less. I fear they've figured me out and now use it against me.
What are some of your ideas for "helping" kids to help around the house?
3 comments:
Good question!
I only have one kid old enough to help so that I'm sure makes it easier.
I have a low shelf in the pantry so she can get out and put away her dishes. Also she has to make her bed.
How we get her to do it - isn't very creative- grumbling and complaining can only lead to two different things- neither one she likes very much!
Kellie
Well I don't have kids, but the more and more I am learning about myself, God, and raising Children from the christian parents around me the more I understand the importance of Children helping out around the house. Maybe think of it like this. Yes you want your children to have fun, play etc... but you also want to equip your children to be responsible God fearing adults someday.
Thank God that He doesn't base our salvation on helping around the house but He does want us to serve Him. We can become better servants of Him when we are responsible with the things He gives us, therefore we live radically different from the world around us shining our light to them through our lives. Also by being responsible we free up more of our time for other things like ministry and discipleship. Lastly, taking the example of the house when we are good stewards of picking up etc...we can become attractive to the world around us, and therefore when we are witnessing we won't feel embarrassed, stressed, or overwhelmed to invite people into our homes etc. It also is a witness because people will see a difference in your home, life etc... then in theirs. Now Tasha I don't think your house is bad, Its pleasantly lived in and comfortable but I can understand your desire to have it more organized or picked up so it isn't so overwhelming.
I think for children it is important to remember that they are at a prime time in their life for teaching. They are young now and therefore are easier to teach and its easier for them to learn good behaviors now before they learn bad habits.
Sometimes I wish my mother would have been a little more "strict" on me with helping out around the house. She would have been better equipping me to be responsible and disciplined in housekeeping today. She always thought it was her responsibility to clean up after us to some extent, sure she wanted us to help but she took most the responsibility.
While I understand its the parents responsibility to be the adult and leader I still feel like we forget that by challenging our children and helping them to understand that being good stewards of their time and things is actually helping them to learn self control, responsibility etc...so that they can be better witnesses. They are just as much part of the family as you and Justin and thus as such have a responsibility to be good stewards. God has placed them in your family at this time for a reason. He has a purpose in it and He wants you to help to mature them into responsible members of the body of Christ.
They are children yes, but they can still help out with little things, like folding towels or matching socks, or dusting, vacuuming, taking out garbage, or picking up toys before moving on to the next because this way they are learning the consequences and responsibility of starting new projects.
Kind of like when we are adults and want a new car, or boat or something, and now have more financial responsibility and time commitments to that project etc... I think it will help them to learn how to be better time managers, as well as help them avoid becoming overwhelmed when they have taken too many toys out then they can put away in a reasonable time etc... So maybe some ideas to help them become more motivated is to obviously lead by example but also to help them understand why Jesus asks us to be good stewards etc...and then start small...basic tasks, and add on to that in time.
Also I know that one things some mothers have made their children memorize the verse Philippians 2:14-15 "Do all things without grumbling or complaining so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world" They usually teach them about the verse and just make them memorize the first part, that way they can remind the children why they are to help without grumbling. Even as an adult it is a good verse for me because I often want to grumble when I know God is calling me to do something.
Like I said before I am not a mother so some of this might be idealistic but I still think it was very good wisdom and made me think more about the responsibilities in parenting. Remember your not alone in it either God can always give you the grace, strength, and wisdom as to what will work best in your family with your kids. I wish you many blessings and success in this area and hope that one day you will be able to share with me what worked so that I can teach it to my children. I love your example, leadership,and wisdom in being a mother and appreciate your desire to learn and grow, it challenges me to grow too.
Hey Tasha-No, I haven't made books-as in homemade books, but I have made "Art books" with kindergarten. I had them make an assignment with each element and then made a laminated book out of it....I am not going to do it again..to much work...I have four kindergarten classes this next year-yikes!
What are you thinking of doing? I am going to do a paper making unit with my fifth graders this next year. Are you finished with school? love,katie
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