First, let's talk more about the importance behind chores and why they are good for our kids.  Chores are important early life lessons. One of my favorite psychologists, Alfred Adler, practiced around the same time as Freud.  Adler was considered every man’s psychologist while Freud was a psychologist to the elite.  Adler said that everyone’s behavior is purposeful. In other words, there’s a reason why we do what we do. He also said we all have a basic need to belong and be accepted by others.  Why am I mentioning Adler, and what the heck does he have to do with chores for kids?  Well, I apply his basic teachings to raising kids. It’s simple, their behavior is purposeful, and they have a need to belong and be accepted, and giving them chores satisfies these two needs.

Do you ever notice your kids act up when you’re trying to cook dinner, or you’re on the phone?  Although we may think they’re acting up to annoy us, they’re really just trying to get our attention....negative or otherwise.  That's the purpose behind the bad behavior.  So, how do you turn that purposeful behavior around to something positive? Give them something productive to do.  Chores! They can set the table while you make dinner, dust the floor boards while you’re on the phone, etc. Get creative and give them something productive and positive to do.

Chores for kids are beneficial in a couple of different ways.  First, they can convert negative purposeful behavior into something positive.  What's more, they can provide your child with the sense of belonging and acceptance that they so eagerly seek.  All of us have these needs, and while kids may not outwardly appear to enjoy doing chores, providing them with age appropriate tasks is a wonderful way to teach responsibility, maturity, and independence, while giving them a sense of accomplishment that boosts their self esteem.  Using chores to help your kids make positive contributions to the family will lay the foundation for them to become productive members of society as adults.

© Samantha Buck

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Samantha Buck is a Professional Organizer and Editor of http://www.LifeOrganizeIt.com/chores-for-kids.html, where you can learn how to turn chores for kids into life lessons to help them make good decisions by being independent thinkers.  Subscribe to the free organizing magazine "Organize It Mom!" at http://www.lifeorganizeit.com/free-e-zine.html for everyday tips that will get your life under control.