Home > 5 Ways to Make Daily Tasks Easier
Posted by Shannon M. on Friday, March 9th, 2012
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If we do daily tasks, well, every day, then why do they feel so hard sometimes; so boring? Children have these same questions except, most of the time, they don’t have the words to ask them. What results is often a cacophony of whines, cries, and hissy fits – otherwise known as the bane of every parent’s existence. Believe it or not, there are ways to skirt the daily doldrums.
Stick to a schedule
Consistency, consistency, consistency. Children thrive in an environment that is regimented and routine. There should be a time for everything from homework to eating dinner to playing outside. Kids need that type of structure when they’re developing. It promotes a feeling of security and provides the right type of environment for self-esteem to grow. If it helps, you can even go so far as to set a timer. That way, everybody can keep track of what time it is!
Do it as a family
Brush your teeth at the same time, eat at the same time, get dressed at the same time – you get the point. If you do it as a group activity, chances are, your child will be more motivated to get it accomplished.
Make it fun
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Daily tasks can get boring, so make it fun! Try making up silly songs about the tasks you’re doing and encourage your child to sing along. If singing isn’t your forte, try making up epic stories to accompany the activity. For example, while brushing your child’s teeth you could make up a story about how Captain Toothbrush will fly into your his/her mouth to save every tooth from the evil Dr. Cavity. If you’re still not impressed, try the simplest option: turn every activity into a game. This is perfect for competitive or sports-minded children. If the good ol’ spark of competition can’t make daily tasks more interesting, I don’t know what can.
Establish a rewards system.
I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again: rewards charts are the way to go! Positive reinforcement not only builds a child’s self-esteem but it also transforms good choices into lucrative decisions. Without a rewards system, a child might have difficulty finding the motivation to clean his/her room, get out of bed, or engage in any other daily task. Rewards are not bribes, they are incentives.
Remain patient and persistent
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Half of the responsibility of making daily tasks easier falls on you, remember that. It’s your job to implement these little tricks and to remain patient and persistent while engaging in them. Your child will follow your lead. Meaning, if you have fun doing the menial day-to-day activities, chances are, your child will also.
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