Podcast: Are Chores Good for Kids?
Erica: So I- I think, um, so when we talk about chores, some of the things that they say, um, that can result in when your kids do chores, basically you’re teaching them life skills, yes or no?
Amy: True. yeah I’d agree.
Erica: And how, also, um, helps kids, uh, learn responsibility and self-reliance. And we talked about this already, but chores help teach teamwork. Uh, you know, I- this, this kind of a stretch, but I think that’s OK.
Amy: Well, like outside chores, like raking leaves and stuff, you know? That’s kinda … I can see that.
Erica: The kids at school do that in the fall and …
Amy: It does. If there is an argument that starts and then eventually they get it and it’s done.
Erica: But it all works out in the end, yeah. Uh, chores also help reinforce respect. They also build a strong work ethic, which, you know, I have to agree with that.
Erica: So my daughter, um, spends a lot of time at the barn and I- I … when she does something, I don’t want to say does something wrong, but when she makes a mistake or maybe she overlooks something,
Erica: you know, she’s really, like, down on herself, like, “Oh my gosh, I can’t believe I let that happen,” cause she really cares what other people think and she wants people to know that she is really a hard worker,
Erica: but also she loves it there, so that’s a job that she loves compared to like doing dishes or something like that.
Erica: And then also it mentions that chores actually help improve planning and time management skills.
Amy: Um …
Erica: So, I don’t know about that.
Amy: No, mine have their phone in their hand …
Erica: Yes.
Amy: … and it’ll take two hours to do a five minute job, cause they’re watching a movie while they’re doing whatever.
Erica: They don’t… they don’t have … they don’t realize that if they could just get this done, then they can go, you know, lay on the couch …
Amy: Kinda like my brother; run with the lawn mower, as safe as that is.
Erica: Yeah, exactly. Hey, check, check, check, let’s move on. And then also it says chores give families a chance to bond. How do you feel about that?
Amy: No, no.
Erica: Yeah, I don’t know about that, but yeah …
Amy: So hey, so guess what? I’m gonna start tomorrow.
Erica: Your kids are gonna hate me.
Vocabulary:
life skills – useful abilities that people need to learn to deal effectively with the challenges of everyday life, “Learning how to cook and manage money are important life skills.”
responsibility – the duty to take care of something or do a specific job, “Feeding the family dog every morning is my main responsibility.”
self-reliance – the ability to depend on yourself and do things on your own without needing help from others, “Living alone in a big city for the first time really teaches you self-reliance.”
teamwork – the combined effort of a group of people working together to achieve a goal, “It took great teamwork from the whole kitchen staff to serve dinner to one hundred guests.”
work ethic – a belief that hard work and dedication are important and morally good, “She has a fantastic work ethic and never leaves the office until her tasks are finished.”
overlooks something – fails to notice, see, or think about something, “Sometimes the teacher overlooks something minor, like a small spelling mistake in my essay.”
down on herself – being overly critical, sad, or disappointed with oneself, “She was really down on herself after missing the final goal in the soccer match.”
time management skills – the ability to use your time wisely so that you can finish all your tasks without rushing, “Having good time management skills helps you finish your homework and still have time to play video games.”
bond – to develop a close, warm relationship or connection with someone, “Going on camping trips together is a great way for parents and children to bond.”