Contribution is giving children small ways to be helpful throughout the day. If you are folding laundry, they can match socks, carry stacks of washcloths or put underwear in drawers. If you are getting dinner ready, they can color placemats, butter rolls, serve greenbeans, fold napkins or take drink orders. You might also ask children … Continue reading Contribution and Chores by Age
Responsibility is best taught in small doses across childhood. Think of gradually increasing expectations, ownership and chores overtime. Responsible for belongings – A way to build a sense of responsibility is to have them gradually be responsible for their belongings. This means teaching them to keep their toys clean and all the pieces together, keep … Continue reading Encouraging a Sense of Responsibility
If you are thinking about introducing chores to your children, it is best to start with the idea of contribution. Contribution is giving kids jobs throughout the day and expecting them to help just because they are part of the family. For two year olds, this may be helping find socks when you do laundry. … Continue reading Introducing Chores
Contribution is getting children involved in the process of daily living. It is giving them jobs, so they can be productively engaged. When children are participating in family function, there is less need for discipline. This is very much in line with the Montessori philosophy. In a Montessori classroom, children are preparing snack, serving snack and … Continue reading Contribution – Getting Kids to Help
Avoid Creating Work for Other People – Maybe this comes from waiting tables through college, or from how hectic our careers feel now, but I’m reminding the girls often to not create work for other people. In little ways, this means checking under the table at restaurants to be sure we’ve not left a mess. In … Continue reading Mantras in Our Family
Believe me, I know, mornings in a busy house with kids can be tough. There are several guidelines that can help in this hectic transition time. Build a real routine – Many families have a solid bedtime routine, but fewer have a great morning routine. If you are one of those winging it in the … Continue reading Want a Better Morning Routine with Kids?
Dear Dr. Rene, My, just turned three years old, son knows his alphabet, colors, shapes and dinosaurs. He is beginning to spell and can manage 48 piece puzzles by himself. He is very interested in learning and listens intently and soaks information up like a sponge when interested. My concerns are when he has to … Continue reading Nurturing Independence
The general guideline here is a dollar per year of life each week, meaning a four-year-old earns four dollars a week. I know this sounds like a lot of money, but from the beginning it’s suggested that you help your child divide their allowance into three categories including saving, spending and charity. You might start with a a … Continue reading Allowance by Age
It is helpful to introduce the idea of household chores early. I tend to think children are ready to manage a chore or two just because they are part of the family by three or four years old. Many young children are still willing helpers at this age and it’s good to capture that enthusiasm when … Continue reading Chores by Age
When it comes to teaching children about managing money, there are two camps that are split along the line of how they actually earn the money. Camp one gives children allowance for chores. Camp two, which doesn’t like the chores tied in as it is a reward system, just gives children money each week and … Continue reading Chores for Earning Allowance
Parenting by Dr. Rene 