How to Get your Child to Do Chores Without a Battle

It can be very frustrating to ask your child over and over again to complete their chores without them ever getting done. If this describes your house to a tee, consider designing a chore chart. Chores might include taking out the garbage, doing the dishes, cleaning their room, yard work or putting laundry in the laundry room. Each chore has to be done just once or twice a week.

Creating a chore chart can be very effective in helping you and your children keep track of tasks accomplished and inspiring and motivating by checking off completed tasks. Rather than imposing a chore chart on your children, make the activity of creating the chart fun. At the same time as discussing chores, it is also important to discuss awards for completing all the chores in one week. Make sure your children understand that the reward is for all the tasks accomplished, and no reward will be forthcoming if the tasks are not done. In this way you are being consistent in disciplining your child's unacceptable behavior and demonstrating the behavior that you want from them.


Once you've sat down with your child and discussed and designed a chore chart, it's time to discuss the rewards for accomplishing each task listed. Perhaps at your home you decide you will give a set sum for each task accomplished. If you should decide to grant your child some sort of monetary allowance, make sure it's age appropriate and granted on a regular basis. A good rule of thumb is 50 cents per year of age. So your 8 year old child would earn $4.00 per week if each chore on the list has been completed. If it has not been, they do not receive their allowance. Should you decide to use non-monetary incentives as chores payment, be sure you set clear parameters for your child. Be sure they understand that two hours each weekend of their favorite video game or going to see a movie with mom or dad is only earned by completing the chore list successfully each week. You might want to consider writing these on a slip of paper as 'currency' for the child to keep in their 'privilege bank' and they can cash it in with you when they'd like.
Regardless of the method you choose, keep in mind this can be a valuable tool for both you and your child.

Welcome to Discipline for Kids

I am a parent and teacher, and I meet parents who struggle bringing up their children to be willing to cooperate and be well behaved.
For example what happens at bedtime when their child is asked or told to go to bed.
This simple instruction causes so much time and energy getting the child to go. Resistance can be in the form of whining, excuses, refusal, defiance right the way up to World War 3

Many parents have no idea how to deal with this except to resort to yelling, nagging, threats or bribery.

I have been there and done that.

And I have found some answers which I would be happy to share with you.

For solutions on discipline for kids visit my website