My kids are starting to push back on doing their daily chores. I’ve tried chore charts and rewards, but the novelty wears off quickly. Any tips from other parents on how to keep kids motivated to help out around the house consistently? I don’t want it to turn into a constant battle. What’s worked for your family?
I remember those days! It took us a while to find our groove with chores too. One thing that helped was setting a regular ‘chore time’ each day. For us, it was right after dinner. The kids knew what to expect, and it became part of our routine.
We also found that giving choices worked well. I’d say something like, ‘Do you want to load the dishwasher or sweep the floor?’ It gave them some control. And yeah, some days were harder than others. On those days, we’d do chores together or break them into smaller tasks.
As they got older, we tied chores to privileges they cared about. My 14-year-old knows she needs to finish her chores before using her phone in the evening. It’s not perfect, but it’s cut down on the daily battles. Hang in there - it does get easier with time and consistency! 
I’ve found that turning chores into games can be really effective. My kid loves a good challenge, so we often set timers and see how much we can get done before it goes off. It’s become a fun bonding activity for us.
Sometimes we put on music and have mini dance parties while we clean. Other days, we pretend we’re running a fancy hotel and have to get everything spotless for important guests.
Keeping things lighthearted and mixing it up has helped, even though some days still don’t go smoothly.
We’ve had some ups and downs with chores too. What’s helped us is turning them into a routine rather than a big task. Our kids know that after dinner, we all pitch in to clean up together. It’s just part of our evening now.
We also rotate chores weekly so no one gets bored. The kids like picking new jobs sometimes. We keep a simple list on the fridge and let them check things off. They feel proud when they finish.
On tough days, we might do chores together or break them into smaller parts. If they’re really not feeling it, we talk about why and maybe adjust things.
It took time, but now chores are just normal for us. Keep trying different things - you’ll find what clicks for your family!
We’ve tried tying chores to screen time. The kids need to finish their tasks before TV or games. It’s not perfect, but it’s cut down on arguments.
Letting them pick which chores they do each week helps too. They seem more invested when they have some choice.
I’m struggling with this too! My 5-year-old was excited about chores at first, but now it’s hit or miss. I’ve been trying to make it fun - we race to see who can put away toys faster or sing silly songs while we work. Sometimes it helps, but other days nothing seems to work.
I’m curious how other parents handle the ups and downs. Do you ever just let it slide on tough days? Or is consistency key even if it means more frustration? I worry about pushing too hard, but also want to teach responsibility.
What age did chores really start to stick for your kids? I feel like I’m still figuring out what’s realistic to expect at this age.