Now that we've established the basic principles for involving the entire family in household chores, I'll move on to tasks that will give children more responsibility in the successful running of the home and in their lives.

This will be good practice for when they eventually move out to go to university, or into the big working world! Most, if not all, parents have to work. Just because moms and dads are there for you, it does not suggest that they must do everything for you. The best kinds are the ones who bring you up with the tools to support and look after yourselves.

Children live what they learn

Even if you are fortunate enough to have a housekeeper, it is not reasonable to require her to pick up after you. Would you do this for someone else? I doubt it. Think about that when you next ask your employee to fetch a glass of water or a pack of chips. If children see you doing this, they will expect this 'royal' treatment as well. Before you know it, your kids will be bossing them around.

Aside from the fact that this is no way to treat another human being, it will turn your children into spoilt brats, who will grow up without the skills to function like the average person. I am not saying that domestic help is a bad thing to have. Just recognise that it is a form of work, and there are boundaries and limitations to what one does within every trade. We must all respect and honour that.

Everyone needs to eat. No argument there I presume? The kitchen should be a central place of gathering for a family, and therefore, a priority for keeping in order. This includes the cleaning of the fridge and freezer, stove, ovens, cupboards, and so on. I suggested, in my previous article on this subject, that rosters are a fair way of letting the whole family know how they ought to be helping. One of the best times to get everyone involved together is leading up to dinner time. All the chores will be finished in no time, and you might even enjoy it as you chat and catch up with what's been going on with each other's lives. One or two people could be preparing food, another wiping out the fridge or cleaning the stove, and yet another setting the table. Unless each person has a favourite chore and wants to stick to that every evening, then you will have to swap it all around.

Washing cars

Weekends are great days to get on with the gardening and washing of cars. It will most likely be hot, but the water hose is needed for both! Who says the family can't have a bit of fun spraying each other in between? You'll forget what a chore (pardon the pun) you thought it would be!

One of the most important duties that we each have is keeping our personal space clean and neat. In other words, tidy your rooms! Throw your dirty clothes in the laundry basket, not on the floor or a chair. Put away your toys and books when you've finished playing with, or reading, them. If you spill something, wipe it up immediately. Don't wait for someone else to slip on it days later. You'll discover soon enough that when your parents see how responsible you are with your room, they'll give you more responsibility in other aspects of life.

Emmadaltonbrown@gmail.com

Tips for kids:

1. There's no better time than the present. Do the chore now before they all build up!

2. Be proud of, and responsible for, your personal space.

3. Wear a smile on your face when helping out in the home. It's the least you can do for your parents.

Tips for parents:

1. Make sure your children realise that the housekeeper is not their personal maid.

2. Let your children do some of the fun stuff too, like cooking.

3. Reward your children for being responsible in the home by giving them other responsibilities in their lives.