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What's the best way to teach a teen how to do practical chores around the house - from cooking to laundry? It seems to take more time than we both have these days. Not to mention separating the teen from the screen.
20 replies [ Reply | Watch | Options ]I think it is a little late since the best way is to involve them in all the chores you do from the beginning. That being said, start now with teen shadowing you for a week and then just set the expectation and stick to it. I suspect you will have to link all home servicies (like cable and internet) to the successful completion of the chores. Good luck.
[ Reply | Options ]For all those reading this - you have to start much earlier than teen years. Your five year old can set the table and clear his dishes. Can also take out the trash (with a little supervision), should be responsible for cleaning own room (my vacum and dust too). Then you add as they get older. Started having child clean the sink in the bathroom with a wipe - as far as cooking - they should be helping you in the kitchen early - the rule in our house is when the child is 10, once a month they will plan a meal, shop, and cook (with some help). Teenagers - once a week. My little ones LOVED sorting laundry! At 12 - they are responsible for putting in and taking out. I still get the stains out. For op - show them how to do it and then let them do it and don't go back and do it over. A good job is cleaning out the fridge. Good luck.
[ Reply | Options ]OP - Everything you say is true, but life gets in the way. Suddenly in the elementary school years, school starts getting more and more demanding. Having a child help you through the years was a lot easier in Laura Ingalls Wilder's day, when there were fewer recreational distractions and a greater need for every member of a family to pitch in and help in order to survive. But having said that, the urban parent can encourage practical skills in children if we work at it, so it's never too late.
[ Reply | Options ]np: lol - you know you are making excuses. my mom and dad made us help with everything and we did not live in the wilderness - though the lower east side did seem like it back in the 80s...
[ Reply | Options ]I think the difference in our very small family (dh, me and dd) is that dh and I are always rushed and pressed for time, so we end up doing everything because it saves time, rather than bother to teach dd how to do anything beyond making her bed, cleaning up the bathroom sink, getting her food (if I'm not around) and cleaning up when she's finished. It's not that she's unwilling, it's really the time factor - we're always at the mercy of outside scheduling and travel. But I agree, it's an excuse and if I want things to change I have to be patient and do some well-thought and broken-down teaching of the steps so dd can learn.
[ Reply | Options ]All you need to do is disconnect cable for three months. Time warner has a program called seasonal disconnect, you cut it off from 1 to 6 months and you pay small fee (7.00?) and then turn it back on with no connection fee. You can do this once a year. You will be amazed at how much time your family has with no tv. It will work out just fine.
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Hi, I'm the resonder and my children do go to school just like yours. It has nothing to do with Laura Ingalls. You create your life - you define your day. If you think it is important to prepare your child for life in the most pracical way (cooking, cleaning) then that is what you do. Wise woman once told me - you always have time for the things you want to do - and I have found that to be true in my life.
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