8 Benefits of Giving Children Chores

Do you give your children chores?  I have found that many of our children have become entitled. They think they should have maid service, they shouldn't have to work for anything, and the world owes them.  Many make no effort in school and they have no respect for their parents or anyone else they encounter.  I wonder if their attitude is a result of them not understanding that things are earned and their are no entitlements.  Do they understand that mom is not a maid or their personal chef, and the roof over their head and food on the table is the result of work?  Many grow up not knowing knowing how to care for themselves or how to do things around the house.  They think it's okay to depend on someone else to take care of them.  

One of the things that I instilled in my daughter is that life is not easy, it requires work.  Each of us should strive to be independent and we should each strive to make contributions in the world.  I explained to her that I made a decision to bring her into the world, and it was my responsibility to take care of her for 18 years.  After that, anything that I assisted her with was because I loved her and wanted her to be a successful and productive citizen.  Becoming independent contributes to a person's sense of self worth, and as a result you will want to do for yourself.     

That thought process still continues in my home.  Yep, it applies to Miss Muffin and Sweetie Pie too. I put them to work because I believe work ethics should be instilled early.  There are many benefits to children being given chores and assisting with small things that will teach them lessons for life.  Here are a few:

1. It Teaches Children Responsibility - Children learn the importance of becoming responsible for things in the home, their room, and taking care of themselves.
2. It Teaches Children The Importance of Completing A Task - Children need to learn how to start a task and take it to completion.  It will teach them to endure, persevere, and to do things over again if it's not done satisfactory.
3. It Teaches Children About Team Work - Giving children chores will teach them about working as a member of a team in the home, and the importance of being a team member.  It will demonstrate that each team member contributes to the success of a family and relationship.
4. It Teaches Children to Become Self Sufficient - Children need to learn how to sustain themselves.  Successful adults do what they can for themselves, and rely on assistance only when they can't achieve the goal alone.
5. It Teaches Children to Clean and Organize - Children need to learn the importance of being clean.  Giving them the responsibility of cleaning their room, bath time, helping with dishes and meals will give them a sense of keeping things tidy.
6. It Teaches Children the Importance of Money - Children need to learn that things in the home, recreational activities, clothes etc. are not free.  Giving them chores is a great way for them to earn money, and help them understand that work is a part of life and that's how they will earn money. 
7. It Teaches Children To Save - Giving an allowance for assisting around the house is a great way to teach children to save money for something they would like to have or do down the road. 
8. It Teaches Children About Receiving and Giving Rewards - Children will learn that receiving and giving rewards boosts confidence and self-esteem.   

What kind of chores do you give your children and what age were they when you started.  Feel free to add a chore to the list, so we can try it.