How to Instill Good Work Ethics in Your Children
Instilling a good work ethic in children did not pose much of a problem in the pioneer days, when everyone in the family had to work together to raise animals and work the fields. With the increasing use of household technologies, however, parents face more challenges to develop a work ethic in their children. Television, video games, computer games, online chat rooms and cell phones all pull students away from family responsibilities and household chores. Also, modern conveniences have made it easier for parents to get work accomplished without having to involve their children. Parents often find themselves feeling extremely frustrated when they realize that the children they are raising show signs of becoming self-centered or lazy.
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Instructions
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Discuss the need for instilling a good work ethic in your children with your spouse. For this lifestyle change to happen, both parents must make a determined effort in this cause. If not, one parent may "give in" when children complain and totally destroy the other parent's attempts.
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Make your plan. Decide what responsibilities or chores your children are capable of handling and make your list. If you have more than one child, be sure to divide the responsibilities evenly so that all children feel that the list is fair. Rotating the responsibilities is another way to keep all children happy.
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Create a chart. List each child's name on the chart and then list his daily responsibilities. If the children are young, they will enjoy placing stickers by the chores as they are completed. Older children will want to earn some type of reward (such as an allowance or extra computer time) once they complete the tasks.
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Base the level of difficulty of the responsibilities for each child on her age. The younger the child, the more basic the chores should be. For example, asking a 3-year-old to help with the dishes is unrealistic. Asking a 3-year-old to carry a small stack of laundry to her room, however, will cause this child to feel like an important part of the family. Younger children want to be included in the family work. The earlier you begin allowing your children to help out, the more likely they will help out when they are older.
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Celebrate your children's accomplishments. Show your children that having a good work ethic pays off. Go out to dinner or to a movie once a month as a family and just enjoy being together. Communicate with your children while out about how proud you are of them. Let them know that their help around the house makes a difference. Kids want to matter in this world. When you keep your children busy and productive, they are much less likely to become depressed or get involved with the wrong people.
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Tips & Warnings
Be a good example. Don't complain about your own job. Demonstrate a good work ethic in your own life, and you will make it more attractive to your children. Remember, they may not say anything but they are always watching you.
Be partners. Make opportunities for you to work with your children as part of a church or community event.
Be positive. Kids will mess up, forget and make messes during this journey into becoming responsible family members. Focus on their successes, not their failures.
Don't scream at or criticize your children about their laziness.
Don't use chores as punishment for behavior. Children should help out because it is the right thing to do. When they see chores as punishment, they will learn to hate work.
Remember that habits are hard to break. The sooner you decide to make a concerted effort at helping your children become responsible members of your family, the more likely these skills will carry over into their adult life.
References
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