#56: Interview with Life and Parenting Coach - Kathy Bowers
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#51: Are Your Kids Too Busy To Help Around The House?

Are Your Kids Too Busy To Help Around The House?

EPISODE 51

Owner, professional organizer

by Dianne Jimenez

This article takes 4 minutes to read

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Are Your Kids Too Busy To Help Around The House?

In this episode, I discuss the challenges parents face when their kids are too busy to help out. I also explore the reasons behind this issue and provide practical solutions for parents.

I dive deep into the possible reasons why our kids may not be helping out as we expect. We look at both the child’s perspective and the parent’s role in communicating tasks effectively. We also examine the impact of our busy schedules and how it affects our children’s willingness to contribute.

Join me as we explore these topics and discover actionable strategies for navigating this common parenting challenge. Together, we can create a harmonious environment at home while teaching our kids responsibility and teamwork.

Tune in to this episode and gain valuable insights that can transform your parenting experience. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to make a positive change in your family dynamics!

The episode at a glance

[0:00] Hello & welcome

[01:18] Understanding Your Kids’ Perspective

[01:22] Introduction to the Episode

[03:20] Evaluating Your Communication Style

[04:55] Simplicity and Clarity in Instructions

[06:47] Analyzing Your Kids’ Schedule

[07:26] Actionable Tips for Better Parenting

[09:21] The Importance of Rewards and Gratitude

[10:53] Conclusion and Farewell

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Hello & welcome!

Hey there! Welcome to another episode of the Parenting Guide: Organizing Habits Made Easy podcast. In this episode, we’re going to dive in and explore a common challenge faced by parents – getting our kids to help out around the house. As parents, it’s important for us to understand why our kids might be too busy or unresponsive to our requests. By exploring this issue together, we can find effective strategies to bridge the communication gap and encourage our children to contribute to household tasks. So, let’s jump right into it!

Are Your Kids Too Busy Or Not Really Getting the Message?

First things first – let’s assess whether our kids truly understand what we expect from them.

find out how families with 3+ kids tackle the beast: laundry!

With today’s fast-paced world full of distractions, it’s important to consider how our kids receive and process information. We need to ensure that our instructions are clear, specific, and easily understandable. Take a moment to observe their attention and focus when you give them instructions. If needed, speak slowly and make sure they have eyes on you. By improving the clarity of our communication, we can set the stage for success.

Are Your Kids Too Busy Or Is It About Your Own Instructions?

While it’s essential for our kids to comprehend our instructions, we also need to analyze how we deliver them. Are we fully present and focused, or are we just as distracted as our children? Our own ability to stay attentive and engaged plays a significant role in effective communication.

My Secret Sauce for setting the kids up for success

Consider your tone – is it firm and clear, or do you find yourself yelling out of frustration? Remember, the way we deliver our message can have a lasting impact on how it’s received. Stay calm, maintain a firm tone, and ensure your message comes across as non-threatening.

Keep it Simple and Clear

When assigning tasks to our kids, simplicity and clarity are key. Avoid overwhelming them with complex instructions or lengthy to-do lists. Just as we struggle to complete never-ending lists, kids can also feel discouraged when faced with too many tasks. Instead, focus on one action at a time. Clearly define what needs to be done, and make sure the task is easily achievable. By simplifying our requests, we set our kids up for success.

3 things to establish now before losing your s#!t later on (during the school year)

Are They Just Too Busy?

To fully comprehend why our kids might seem too busy to help, we need to consider their schedules. Our children go through different seasons in their lives, which can impact their availability. Just like how we experience busier and slower periods, our kids also have times when they are more engaged in extracurricular activities, schoolwork and other commitments. Recognize that these busy seasons are temporary, and there will be times when they have more availability to contribute to household tasks.

Free training: "How to find time in a busy schedule"

Action Steps:

Now that we’ve explored the reasons behind our kids’ busyness, let’s discuss some practical steps you can take to navigate this situation:

  1. Embrace the Seasons: Understand that periods of busyness are part of life, but they are not permanent. Be patient and recognize that things will eventually ease up.
  2. Lower Expectations: Adjust your expectations and understand the limits of your child’s capacity. By lowering the bar a bit, you reduce frustration and increase the chances of success.
  3. Show Gratitude and Appreciation: Never underestimate the power of gratitude. Reward your children with heartfelt thanks, whether through words, hugs, or simple gestures. Be specific in expressing your appreciation and highlight how their help made a difference.

Stay on track with laundry & tips to getting the kids involved

Conclusion:

Parenting is a challenging yet rewarding journey, and getting our kids to help around the house can sometimes be a hurdle. By improving our communication, adjusting our expectations, and showing appreciation, we can create an environment where our children feel motivated to contribute. Remember, it’s all about fostering a sense of teamwork and instilling valuable life skills in our kids. So, let’s embrace this opportunity to strengthen the bond between us and our children while making the household chores a shared responsibility. You’ve got this!

Thank you for joining us in this episode. If you found this episode helpful and inspiring, please consider rating and reviewing my podcast show on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback means the world to me. Wishing you a fantastic week ahead, and I’ll catch you in the next episode!


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Referenced in this episode

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Toddler busy playing in the background of a messy room