With the increase of lazy, overweight kids in our country, parents are becoming more concerned with their children's work ethics. They have every right to be concerned. Many parents are wondering how to keep their children from going down the same path as so many other kids these days.

The most important thing a parent must do is lead by example. If the house is trashed, and the property looks like a junkyard, what are the children going to learn? My mother used to designate Saturday mornings for cleaning the house, and helping dad outside. She kept things picked up through the week, but on Saturday, we would all "clean" up.

There are going to be times when your kiddo is not going to be in the "mood" to do his/her chores. Parents must make it clear that in life, people have to do things that they do not like. It is called work for a reason.

Teach your children that it is not ok to pay someone else to do something that they can do themselves. For instance, mowing the yard, or cleaning house. There are too many ways for children to be lazy. If they can physically do something, make them help.

Remember not to let your children leave the job unfinished. My mom used to say: "There is nothing worse than a half-a* job. I would rather you not do it at all," although we never had the option of not doing it at all. We were told to give it all we had, and not stop until it is complete.

Parents must start with their children while they are young. Make your 2 year old clean up his/her toys every night before bed, and help you make his/her bed each morning. The little ones are more eager to help, and if you start early, they will get the point sooner. We have all heard the saying: "you can't teach an old dog new tricks". You can apply this to human beings as well. You cannot expect your teen to understand why the house needs to be clean if they have never had to lift a finger to help. Keep all of this in mind, and your child should turn out to be a fairly hard working adult.

Learn more about this author, Awnya Nirvelli.
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