I’ve been trying to get my kids to do their chores without complaining, but it’s been a struggle. Someone mentioned reinforcing good habits might help make chores more enjoyable for them. Has anyone tried this? How exactly does it work to make chores fun instead of a chore? Looking for some practical tips that have worked for other parents.
I’ve been experimenting with making chores more game-like. My kid loves to beat their own record for speed-cleaning their room. We use a timer and keep track of best times.
For dishes, we play ‘guess the food’ based on stuck-on bits. It’s silly, but it keeps things light.
These little tweaks have helped, though some days are still a challenge. It’s an ongoing process of finding what clicks.
We started using a points system for chores at our house. The kids earn points for each task they complete. They can save up points for bigger rewards or cash them in for smaller ones.
It’s been pretty cool to see how it’s changed things. My 10-year-old has gotten really into tracking his points. He even made a little chart on his own to keep count.
The 7-year-old took a bit longer to get on board, but now she gets excited about earning points too. We let them pick some of the rewards, which I think helps.
One thing that surprised me was how they started helping each other out more. They’ll team up on bigger chores to earn points faster. It’s not always smooth, but overall it’s made chores feel more like a team effort than a chore.
We started with a simple reward system for chores. Nothing fancy, just a chart on the fridge. The kids could see their progress, and it sparked some healthy competition between them.
One thing that really helped was letting them choose their rewards. My daughter wanted extra computer time, while my son was all about staying up later on weekends. It wasn’t always smooth sailing, but over time, they started doing chores without being asked.
We also mixed things up to keep it interesting. Sometimes we’d put on music and have a 15-minute tidying blitz. Other times, we’d make it a challenge, like who could find the most misplaced items. It wasn’t perfect, but it definitely made chores less of a battle. 
Remember, what works for one kid might not work for another. It took some trial and error to find our groove.
I’ve been trying to make chores more fun for my kid too. We started a ‘clean-up dance party’ where we put on music and tidy up together. It works some days, but other times it’s still a struggle.
I’m curious about reward systems. Has anyone found a good balance? I worry about always needing to give rewards.
Also, how do you handle days when your kid just refuses? I’m not sure if I should insist or let it go sometimes. It’s hard to know what’s best at this age.
What are some small, daily habits that have worked well for your kids? I’d love to hear more ideas to try!
Tried a chore chart with stickers. Kids got excited about filling it up.
Turned folding laundry into a race against the timer. They actually asked to do it again.
Not perfect, but less whining overall.