How To Be A Better Dad: Chores 

How To Be A Better Dad: Chores 

How To Be a Better Dad is the fatherhood and co-parenting section on SingleDad. Share and exchange great fatherhood advice from our members who are in all stages of fatherhood.Our topic this month is to see weather chores are good for your household.

Dear SingleDad, 

I have four children and their ages are 16, 15, 13, and 10. They’re all capable of doing chores but I’m not sure if that’s what would be right. They are kids and I don’t want them to be stuck constantly cleaning the house and not able to be teenagers. However, their mother thinks it would be good for them. 

-Nathan, 47

Thanks for reaching out to SingleDad, Nathan. I can see both your and the mother’s side of this. I also can see you two want what’s in your children’s best interest. 

• Balance 

I agree, children are not our servants or maids. You are their caretaker and they should not have to be the ones to keep the house together. However, the children not knowing how to be responsible for their own can create issues. Finding a balance is key. You could create a chore list that assigns each child to only one chore for that day or week. They still have their teenage years to enjoy, but have an hour to spare to do a chore. 

• Responsibility 

Personally I think children having chores creates a sense of responsibility. Having and knowing what responsibility is will help them later on in life. Your children will respect their home, hard work, and other people. 

• Accountability 

Along with responsibility, chores will also teach your children accountability. They will be accountable for their own mess, mistakes, and choices. If one of your children chooses to not do their assigned chore, they can not go to the basketball game that night. Explaining what you’re trying to teach your children will help them understand more why chores are important and why the consequences follow. 

• Allowance 

An allowance could work if your children don’t have after school jobs. Offering them an allowance plays into responsibility and accountability. If they choose to not do the chore, they do not receive the allowance. Having an allowance for doing a chore can create a sense of pride. 

I hope today’s article offered you compromised options. Good luck to you both on your decision! 

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