Chore-Awesome: How to Get Your Kids To Do Chores Without Asking

By Josh Kilen

When it came to chores, every day was a struggle with our son. I basically had to stand right there and watch him complete the task at hand. Even then it wasn’t a guarantee that the chore would be done right. But how do you make your child do something they hate to do? I learned there's a secret to making chores irresistible, turning kids from reluctant to excited in a matter of minutes.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Josh Kilen
• Release date: Nov 27, 2011
• ISBN: 9781466026896

Josh Kilen

Josh began writing books at age 8 and hasn't stopped telling stories. He has written more than 30 books across several genres, from children's books to business non-fiction.  

Book preview

Chore-Awesome!

How to Get Your Kids to Do Chores WITHOUT Asking

Published By Josh Kilen at Smashwords

Copyright © 2011 Josh Kilen

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from the author.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

About the Author

Introduction

My (Our) Story

Using Games to Make Chores Awesome

Steps to Making Your Own Game

Bonus Ideas

Conclusion

*** Extra Level ***

Tell a cool bedtime story to your kids

About the Author

Josh Kilen writes books that help parents connect more deeply with their children. Whether it's a book about getting your child to do chores or bedtime stories that they'll never forget, his goal is to make your job as a parent that much easier. He and his wife, Megan, live in Port Orchard, WA where they raise their son, Sean. You can read more about his bedtime stories at tellmeastory.joshkilen.com.

Introduction

Clean your room! Put your clothes in the wash! Feed the cat/dog! Finish your homework! Did you do your chores? (Sigh.)

It’s an endless battle, isn’t it? Day after day, reminder after reminder....feeling like a broken, bossy record. Apparently kids don’t like doing chores. Who knew?

I refuse to accept that getting our kids to do their chores has to be such a battle. I refuse to believe that a pleasant and happy home is a relic of the 1950s. You should refuse to believe it too. Just because the culture has changed does not mean that our kids don’t need to learn how to take responsibility. It just means that we, as parents, have to find a way to speak their language. My desire is that, using some very simple and easy to implement tips, you will be able to do just that.

My (Our) Story...

I can relate to disliking chores. I mean, really, who actually likes them? They’re called chores for a reason right? Though, as we get older I suppose we also learn the ability to simply get done what needs to be done. To be honest, despite having a twelve year old of my own (who admittedly needing more than the average share of reminding to complete tasks), I really hadn’t given this much thought until I unintentionally became a stay at home dad.

Last July my company decided that it wanted to move to Arizona. I walked into the office to find my boss filling out unemployment forms online! I asked him if I needed to know anything and he handed me a final paycheck.

Suddenly I was home.

All. The. Time.

It was then that I began to notice some things about our near teenage son. Often he said he was doing his chores, but it either it took him an hour to sweep the floor (begrudging every moment) or he did it as quickly and sloppily as possible in order to be done. Suddenly, I was faced with the sinking suspicion that when my wife and I were both working, the chores were done in theory only.

When it came to chores, every day was a struggle. I basically had to stand right there and watch him complete the task at hand. Even then it wasn’t a guarantee that the chore would be done in a satisfactory manner. I tried bribing him with extra privileges like movies, candy, or video games. The behavior changed for a day, but didn't stick. I attempted to assert my Fatherly Control over the situation and make him do the chores, but that required me to supervise the entire time. Plus his work was shoddy to say the least. Apparently slaves make for less than enthusiastic workers.

We tried posting a