I’ve been trying to get my kids more motivated about doing their chores around the house. They do them but sometimes it feels like they’re just going through the motions. I want to show them that I notice and appreciate their help without going overboard or making it feel fake.
What are some easy ways you’ve found to make kids feel valued when they pitch in with household tasks? Looking for practical ideas that don’t require a lot of time or money.
We started doing a weekly family appreciation moment during dinner where we mention one helpful thing each person did. My kids always light up when I bring up how they helped with dishes or organizing their toys.
Another thing that works well is taking photos when they’re doing chores and showing them later. Something about seeing themselves being helpful makes them feel proud. My daughter loves when I show her the picture of her making her bed perfectly.
Sometimes I’ll also ask for their advice on household stuff - like which cleaning supplies work better or how to organize a closet. They feel important when their opinion matters, and it makes the whole house feel like a team effort rather than just tasks they have to do.
I’m still figuring this out with my 5 year old. We tried a few things and some work better than others.
One thing that surprised me is how much my child likes when I tell other people what they did. Like when grandma calls, I’ll mention how they helped sort the laundry. Their face just lights up.
I also started saying thank you the same way I would to an adult. Just a simple ‘thanks for clearing your plate’ instead of making it sound like they’re amazing for doing basic stuff.
But honestly, some days I forget to acknowledge anything and then feel bad about it later. Do you think kids notice when we miss those moments? I’m trying to be more consistent but it’s harder than I thought it would be.
Mine respond well to just calling out what I notice in the moment. Like ‘wow, you got all the dishes in one trip’ or ‘the bathroom looks great.’
Also found that asking them to teach their younger sibling how to do something they’re good at works. They take pride in being the expert.
I used to see my child rush through chores, especially folding laundry. I found that leaving little sticky notes on their dresser can make a big difference. I write things like ‘thanks for making the house look neat’ or ‘noticed you organized everything really well today.’ Additionally, mentioning their hard work to neighbors when they’re around seems to resonate more than giving direct praise. It’s those small, casual acknowledgments that really seem to matter.