I’ve been trying to get my kids to really think about the chores they do, not just go through the motions. Anyone have tips on how to encourage them to reflect on what they’re doing and maybe learn something from it? I feel like there’s potential for growth here, but I’m not sure how to tap into it. What’s worked for you?
We’ve made chore reflection a natural part of our day. After the kids finish their tasks, we have a quick chat about what went well or any challenges they faced.
I try to keep it light and fun. Sometimes we play a game where they get to be the ‘chore expert’ and explain to me how they did something. It’s amazing to hear their thought process!
Recently, my 10-year-old figured out a better way to organize the pantry during her chore time. She was so proud to show it off, and it led to a great talk about problem-solving.
These little moments add up over time. The kids seem more engaged with their chores now, and they’re starting to see how their efforts make a difference in our home.
We talk about chores during dinner. My kids share what was easy or hard that day. Sometimes they come up with ideas to make things quicker.
It’s not perfect, but it gets them thinking beyond just doing the task.
When my kids were younger, I tried to sneak in some reflection time after chores. I’d casually ask what they thought about while doing dishes or if they noticed anything new while cleaning their room. It didn’t always work, but sometimes they’d surprise me with their insights.
As they got older, I started asking for their input on how we could improve our chore system. It got them thinking about the process and why we do certain tasks. They came up with some good ideas too! One time, my daughter suggested we rotate chores weekly so no one got stuck with the ‘worst’ job all the time.
I found that timing was important. Right after a chore, they were usually eager to move on. But at dinner or during car rides, they were more open to chatting about their day, including chores. It became a natural part of our conversations over time. 
I’ve been trying something similar with my 5-year-old. We started a ‘chore chat’ after tidying up toys. I ask things like ‘Which toy was hard to put away?’ or ‘Did you find a new spot for anything?’
It’s hit or miss. Sometimes they’re excited to share, other times they just want to go play. I’m curious how others keep kids engaged in these conversations? Do you have any games or activities that make reflecting on chores more fun for little ones?
I’ve found that asking open-ended questions after chores can spark some interesting conversations with my kid. Like, ‘What was the trickiest part of doing the dishes?’ or ‘How would you explain folding laundry to someone who’s never done it?’ It gets them thinking about the process. Sometimes we brainstorm ways to make chores easier or more efficient. It’s not always a deep discussion, but it helps turn chores into learning opportunities without being too heavy-handed about it.