Growing up to be a responsible person is not like a piece of apple picked on a tree. It takes time. You have to grow up with it to live it. Many parents don’t realize it but as young as 2 or even younger-- when you can see that your child can comprehend what you are talking about, they can already teach their kids the value of responsibility.
Parents are quite apprehensive to give their kids house chores thinking what other people might say. In this case, we have toddlers. Let me just emphasize that as parents, we should be sensible enough to the kind of chore you are giving your little tot. You wouldn’t ask your toddler to prepare or wash dishes, would you? Of course, parents should do some reading and try to sell which chores can already be assigned to their toddlers. To make it simpler, look for chores that are age-appropriate.
I am a mother of a two year old boy and I am just amazed on how quick my son learns just by observing the things around him. I realized that I should make the most of this opportunity to teach him some “chores” since he is still in that age where his mind acts like a sponge.
Start early. Bend the tree while still young. These are some of the famous lines my parents and parents-in-law share with me as I raise my toddler. And true enough I am already starting to reap some fruits of starting early. What do I mean?
At age two, the most that you can do for my little one is to teach him to pack away his toys after he plays with it. During my first few tries, I had to be consistent. I had to remind and show him that I am checking his room after he plays to check if everything is on the proper place. When I see some toys not properly packed away, I remind and show him again how to do it. I take it one step at a time. After a few more tries, I can now say that every time he finishes playing, all I have to do is just tell him to pack away, and I know that he’ll do. I am pleased when I see that he has learned his lesson.
Another story I would like to share is that, when my little one sees me cleaning the house, wiping the tables, walls, or even sweeping the floor, he now volunteers to help. There was even an instance where I asked him to just watch TV or play with his toys, but he said, “No Mama I want to clean.” And so I let him. Of course, this time, I don’t expect him to clean like a grown up! I just wanted to let him feel good knowing that he was helping mum with the chores. And I wanted him to feel that he was acting responsibly. Never mind if I had to do a second round of cleaning after he felt bored already with the activity. At least in my mind, I know that we’re making progress.
I believe it wouldn’t hurt if we give them chores every now and then to teach them how it is to be responsible. When you praise them after a job well done, their self-confidence is boosted as well. Is my strategy effective? I don’t know. Only time can tell. In a few years I will know. But as for now, I will continue to hone and teach him some more skills and instilling values along the way.
