Education and Child Matters

I AM L.I.P

I am a Litigant In Person

Contribution To The Home

 

This webpage has been written to help parents decide when and in what way their child could start contributing in the home. 

There are many ways a child can contribute within the home:

  1. Household chores
  2. Babysitting
  3. Financially

WHY SHOULD A CHILD CONTRIBUTE IN THE HOME?

There are many reasons why a child should be encouraged to contribute within the home. They are:

  1. Gives a child a sense of belonging
  2. Encourages responsibility.
  3. Teaches a child how to care for a home and a family.
  4. They pick up life skills they will need later on in life.
  5. It gives them confidence.
  6. They learn how to organise 
  7. They learn how to share tasks
  8. Teaches a child how to take and follow clear instruction 
  9. Gives you another reason to praise them
  10. Children appreciate what parents do for them
  11. Teaches children how to be part of a team.
  12. Teaches independence

WHEN SHOULD AND HOW CAN A CHILD START HELPING WITH HOUSEHOLD CHORES?

The essence of a child helping with household chores is teaching them to join in and be part of a team. Helping with very simple tasks can start from a young age (about 2 years of age). Your toddler can pass you things, pick up little things or hand you things. This will make them feel useful and included in what you are doing. 

As they get older you can ask them (through clear gentle uncomplicated instructions) to do other tasks (age appropriate tasks). Many times your child will do these tasks wrong and that’s fine. Be gentle, explain where they have gone wrong and show them how to do the task correctly. Next time they can do the task in front of you to make sure they have picked it up. This is how they will learn to take instruction correctly. Always teach your child to finish and complete a task.

Depending upon the maturity and development of the child, older children (aged 7 onwards) can help load the dishwasher and help with laundry. They should be supervised and guided. They should not be given the full job because they may not be able to cope. 

There is a debate whether you should pay your child for helping with household chores. There are pros and cons to this. Yes it teaches them the value of money because they have earnt the money but when there comes a time when you cannot pay then they will have to rely on motivation and responsibility to continue doing the tasks. This may cause friction between you and your child.

WHEN SHOULD A CHILD START CONTRIBUTING FINANCIALLY TO THE HOME?

This will depend upon when they get a proper paid job. If they go onto university at 18 years plus then they will not be able to contribute.

Once employed after university you can either charge your child rent or they can take on one of the bills or contribute via food shopping. 

Please be careful that you do not ask for too much that your child cannot pay for their other expenses and save for the future.

Contributing financially to the home will teach your kids money management.

WHEN SHOULD YOUR CHILD BABYSIT THEIR YOUNGER SIBLING(S) AND SHOULD YOU PAY THEM?

Even though the law in the UK does not state a minimum age when a child can babysit, as a parent you must understand that babysitting is a great responsibility. 

You should only ask your child to babysit when they are mature and wise enough to comprehend the gravity of the responsibility they are taking on. You child should only babysit when they:

  1. Can focus 100% on the task.
  2. Keep their focus and not be distracted
  3. Take instruction properly 
  4. Act on instruction properly
  5. Control their anger and frustration 
  6. Know how to be kind and gentle.

We at I AM L.I.P suggest that a child under 16 years of age should not really babysit a baby, toddler or young child but if you feel your 14 – 15 year old is mature enough then please do so.

Paying your child for babysitting duties or looking after their young siblings will depend upon your family setup and how often you need to be out. If you are working long hours and providing for the family and your teenage child is looking out for and caring for their younger siblings then regular direct payment may not be possible but a gift or some occasional money may be appropriate.