If you’re like most parents going through a divorce, you’re pretty frazzled. You’re arranging meetings with your Durham divorce lawyer, shuttling kids to school and extracurricular activities and somehow squeezing in time for sleep (hopefully). The sink might be full of dishes, kids’ rooms might be unkempt and there might be a growing pile of laundry in front of the washing machine, but you’re managing.
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could get the kids to help around the house?
You can—and according to many psychologists, the kind of structure that chores provide for kids might be beneficial when it comes to coping with divorce.
Kids Need to Feel Like Part of the Family
During a divorce, kids can easily lose their identities. When you assign them chores by letting them know you all need to pull together during a different time, you’re sending a signal that they’re valuable members of the family.
Getting kids to Help with Housework During Divorce
Sure, chores are good for kids—but how do you get past the rolling eyes, deep sighs of angst and general unwillingness to pitch in that are especially common with teens?
- Do chores together. When you do housework together, you’re not only setting a good example for your children and teaching them how to properly fold a fitted sheet; you’re spending quality time together, and kids really crave that during divorce.
- Turn chores into habits. Even if your kids balk at having a chore chart or having a routine that requires them to get things done before enjoying free time, it’s a good idea to establish routines. That way, kids always know what they can expect when they’re with you (even if you don’t have full-time custody of your kids, having a schedule is a good idea).
- Make chores fun. Blasting some fun, family-friendly music is a great way to get kids to stop focusing on the work aspect of chores and get them into what they’re doing.
Many Hands Make Light Work
The house won’t always be spotless, but assigning chores is a good start. You and your kids will be able to enjoy sharing some extra time together once all the work is done, too, so you’re contributing to healthy relationships as well as ensuring the mess doesn’t take over.
