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by Alexa Payne

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Timing
Choose a good time for the chore. One good time is right before something fun you have planned. Try one of these and see if it doesn't get them hopping.

We can go to the park as soon as your chores are done!
I'll play Yahtzee with you as soon as your chores are done.
This afternoon we'll bake chocolate chip cookies, if your chores are done.

Be sure to follow through either way. If you promised cookies and Zachary did his chores you've got to make good on the promise. On the other hand if you promised the zoo and Zachary didn't get the chores done, he'll have to be disappointed.

Rewards
Praise is a great reward. It should be specific. "Wow. You really worked hard on your room. There is not a thing left on the floor. The dresser drawers are all pushed in. The books are neat. All your toys are away. I am impressed."

You can also make a reward chart. Gratification should be immediate and tangible. Say you want Emma to make her bed every morning for 5 days without being asked. Together you decide that if she does she can get the latest Harry Potter DVD. Buy the DVD and show it to her so she knows that it is right there waiting for her. Often charts don't work because parents don't follow through or take too long to hand over the reward.

Expectations
Remember, these little guys need to be trained! A simple job like cleaning up their room can seem overwhelming to a child. Break the job down. Make a checklist so Connor knows exactly what needs to be accomplished for you to consider the job done. If things are not done as you expect, point it out and have him fix it. It will take several times before he really understands what you expect. But soon Connor will be taking pride in a job well done.

Entertainment
Just before bedtime is a great time to tidy the bedroom. My husband reads to the kids while they tidy. They get their bedtime story and a clean room at the same time. Sometimes he plays a game. He studies the room for one minute, then turns his back and reads. When they tell him to look he tries to remember all the things that were out which they have put away.

When my kids have to tidy the play room I put a Book on CD for them to listen to. An mp3 player or iPod is great for older kids.

Music and stories are an easy spoon full of sugar to help the medicine go down.

Learn more about this author, Alexa Payne.

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