27/04/2024
Boys, Saturdays and House Chores.
Today is Saturday. Usually, it's the day that we do a lot of domestic work so that the home can be clean and habitable. However, you are probably going to fight with someone to do chores...
Your boy!
There are several reasons why boys may lose interest in doing chores:
First, some parents did not teach and assign domestic tasks to them early. Again, boys may feel that chores are 'women's work' and not something that boys are supposed to do. They may see chores as boring, hard labour and not reproductive work. They sometimes do not feel a sense of belonging or ownership to a domestic task, so why do it?
The following steps could be of help:
📌 Start early: Encourage boys from a young age to take part in household chores. It will help them develop the habit of doing tasks around the house.
📌 Lead by example: Boys are more likely to participate in chores if they see their parents especially their fathers doing them too. Set a good example by doing chores alongside your child.
📌 Make it fun: Try to make chores fun by playing music or making it a game. It can help boys feel more interested and motivated to participate. I love doing chores while playing good music.
📌Demonstrate that you trust their capabilities: Boys hate it when they feel you are skeptical about their capacity to deliver on a chore. If you know, you know!
📌 Make it age-appropriate: Assign chores appropriate for your child's age and abilities. It will help them feel more confident and successful in completing them. For example, you can't assign cooking or washing the car to a 3 year old boy!
📌 Develop a practical work plan with them: Making a roaster or timetable will not only make them responsible, but learn time management and organizing skills. It also gives them a sense of ownership.
📌 Plan for rewards/motivation: While I strongly believe that boys should own their chores, it's important that they are motivated once in a while to continue the good work. You may plan for special treats, extra screen time or extra pocket money. I know a woman who gives her kids titles like, "Kitchen Manager". 😄
📌 Enroll him in a Mentorship Program: At the Building Boys Academy, we organize programs where we teach boys survival skills. We also organize personalized life skills courses for boys.
In all, just do what works for you.
With patience and consistency, parents can help boys develop an interest in chores, which will contribute to their overall development and sense of responsibility.
Our monthly Mentoring Program for boys continues in May, 2024. Book a slot now by sending a DM to +234-8087886079 to register your son.
