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The Importance of Chores
Many children don’t learn how to wash their clothes, prepare a meal, mow a lawn, make a bed or wash a dish until they move away from home. Deciding on the correct amount of responsibility for your child is difficult. Yet, we know our children need to learn the value of an honest day’s work.
Chores teach responsibility and necessary life skills, however sometimes the agony of getting a child to do a chore makes us dismiss assigning jobs to our children. Sometimes, chores are used as consequences for poor behavior, and sometimes they are used as a means to gain a reward.
Most experts agree that children should be held accountable for some chores and that allowances should carry some expectations. After all, in the “real world,” we don't get paid if we don’t work!
Teaching children to do chores helps them develop a work ethic, shows them the importance of having a job, shows them the importance of contributing to a family and provides many opportunities to learn what kind of career they may or may not want. If allowances are attached, the child can also begin to learn the importance of managing money.
When Should a Child Work?
A child should be given age-appropriate chores at an early age. A toddler can pick up toys and dirty clothes. As your child grows, chores should change to those for which they are capable, however, your child should not run your household. Set the example as a parent. Let your child see the importance and pride that comes with a job well done.
Eventually, your “tween” is going to want to work for extra money. If you allow this, make sure that the amount that you spend on your child decreases. For example, let your child know that you are willing to pay $50 for a pair of shoes, but if he or she wants the $200 pair, it comes out of their money!
A child can begin to babysit at home for siblings at about age 11, provided that you have strict rules and have prepared your child for emergencies. A child cannot babysit outside of the home until age 13. Youngsters can begin helping with yard work, but should not be allowed to operate potentially dangerous equipment unsupervised until they are physically able. You can encourage your child to work for you at home, but make sure that you all know the rules and expectations. When your child works for another family, make sure that you know “where”, “when”, “how” and “who”!
Choosing a Career
Eventually, your child will begin to wonder about “real” work in the “real” world. Remember that each child must find their own career; one that suits their desires, ambitions and needs. Also, avoid putting too much pressure on a child to decide just what that should be, however they should offer experiences for the child to make such decisions.
First, offer a wide variety or work experiences for your child. Talk to neighbors and friends about simple tasks that your child could do in different settings. Arrange for volunteer work in hospitals, agencies or businesses. Help your child research different jobs and educational requirements. Take your child to work with you!
Second, make sure your child takes any career aptitude assessments that are offered in school, or seek one out in the community. Explain to your child, however, that such assessments are mere spring boards for opportunities. Desires and needs change as we grow older, thus careers may also change.
Third, teach your child the basic skills that he or she would need in seeking or performing any job, such as in time-management, money management, organization and interviewing. Teach them to distinguish between dress and manners that may be appropriate at a party setting and that would be appropriate at work. Teach them the value of a commitment. Your example as a working adult is a tremendous lesson If you “play hooky” or get to work late, those are the lessons that will be learned the best!
Finally, encourage your child to develop habits for success; limit complaints, worry less, be unselfish, don’t expect perfection, be intolerant of unjust treatment, don’t fear failure, and seek solutions. These are the skills that will make anyone a successful and desirable employee.
Parenting Tips
Draw up a contract with your child for any extra work that he or she may want to do for pay.
Set up a savings account at the bank for portions of an allowance.
Thank your child for doing chores well and on time.
Discuss the good, the bad and the ugly of any chore or job that your child has done.
Look in local papers for advertisements for volunteer work.
Have a clear understanding that school work is “Job One”!
Always supervise your child when new chores are assigned. Point out any hazards to be avoided.
Encourage your child to support charities.
Exhibit good manners in front of your child and expect the same from him or her.
Play board games that involve the use of money, purchases and/or fines.
Let your child know how you budget your money and what your monthly payments are. You don’t need to disclose amounts, but let them know what items have to be paid (power, gas, mortgage, etc.)
Let your child keep a chart of chores, time spent on chores and/or money earned from them.
Watch carefully for signs of fatigue or poor health.

21st Century Community Learning Centers of Elmore County Public Schools
Eclectic Middle School Site Director: La’Tresia Robinson 170 South Ann Street Eclectic, AL 36024 334-541-2131
Holtville Middle School Site Director: Amy Stewart 655 Bulldog Lane Deatsville, AL 36022 334-569-1596
Millbrook Middle-Junior High School Site Director: Ayena Jackson 4228 Chapman Road Millbrook, AL 36054 334-285-2100
Wetumpka Middle School Site Director: Ewell Fuller 1000 Micanopy Street Wetumpka, AL 36092 334-567-1413
21 CCLC Project Office Project Administrator: Carol Kelly ECTC - 800 Kelly Fitzpatrick Drive PO Box 817 Wetumpka, AL 36092 334-399-4013
The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21CCLC) initiative is the only federal funding source dedicated exclusively to after school programs. An initiative of the NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND act, the 21CCLC programs of Alabama are supervised and administered by the Federal Programs department of the Alabama State Department of Education.

04

It’s Apparent!

Chores, Work, Jobs
and Careers

Elmore County 21st Century Community Leaning Center Parenting Tips #04