by Todd Pheifer

Created on: May 13, 2008

On some level, housekeeping chores can only be so entertaining. Mark Twain wrote in the classic story Tom Sawyer, "Work consists of whatever a body is obliged to do and Play consists of whatever a body is not obliged to do". The challenge for the parent is to make chores fun, or at least convince people that they are not work. Here are a few thoughts on strategies to accomplish this goal.

READY, SET, GO!

One way to make chores fun is to make it into a game. Sometimes that game is as simple as making it a race, so that siblings are pitted against each other to complete their assigned tasks. Granted, this may cause the chores to be done somewhat poorly at times, but a poor job may be better than having to constantly remind children to get their work done. The other way to get the family moving is to have a contest to see who can get the most chores done in an allotted period of time. This is another version of racing, but it feeds into another motivator, which are incentives.

INCENTIVES

Another way to make housekeeping chores fun is to create incentives. When children start to get a bit older, parents may start giving them allowance. Making this allowance contingent on completing chores may give family members a bit stronger reason to get things done. It may not make them particularly "fun", but they may at least get completed in the required time. Sometimes entertainment is not as important as simple completion. The other way to create incentives for families and make chores fun is to schedule fun events on days that chores must be completed. This gives family members motivation to get things done so that they can participate in the activity.

START THEM WHILE THEY ARE YOUNG

Another way to make housekeeping chores fun is to start children doing small tasks when they are young. Oftentimes, young children like to do what their parents do, so having them help out may help establish patterns of behavior that continue on later in life. When children are young, they do not necessarily differentiate between chores and games. Again, the fun may start to dissipate as they get older, but at least habits might be established, which will help with the continuity of the household.

Making household tasks fun has much to do with atmosphere and attitude. If adults seem burdened when they do their work, then children will feel pressured as well. Granted, it can be hard to "put on a happy face" when mopping the kitchen floor, but parents should at least attempt to project a good attitude and even "whistle while they work". If some people are having fun, then others may follow their lead and have fun as well.

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