January 10, 2017
They Are Training To Be Adults

Dr. Laura:

I listened recently to your comments about raising kids who do chores in order to help them grow up to be adults who can actually take care of themselves.  I have a 13 year old boy and a 16 year old girl.  They each keep their own rooms clean, do their own laundry, take the garbage out, clean the bathrooms, and take turns picking up the dog poop in the back yard.
 
Do they complain?  Yes, but I tell them they are training to be adults.  Do they remember every chore?  No, so I remind them with “to do” lists.  Do they try to guilt me that I am a “mean mom?”  Of course – all the time – but I don’t fall for it.   I believe that, eventually, the skills they are learning will become behaviors that are habits.  At least I’ll know that I did my best to help them learn these important skills for life.  It all starts with my example as a parent.

Adriana


Posted by Staff at 10:59 AM