522: How to Build Work Ethic in Your Kids This Summer

Summer brings more snacks, more messes, and more opportunities to teach our kids valuable life skills! Today Karen and Emily are talking about why building a strong work ethic starts at home and why moms should avoid overfunctioning for their children, plus Karen gives practical ideas to teach age-appropriate responsibility. We hope this conversation will encourage you to play the long game this summer as you prepare your kids for real life!

Episode Recap:

Intro (0:00)

You don’t have to be the one cleaning all the messes this summer (1:50)

Helping around the house instills confidence in kids (3:15)

We want to raise contributors, not consumers (5:00)

Teach your children to go the extra mile (8:10)

What are good kids' chores at each stage of development? (12:00)

How do you handle kids who push back on doing chores? (18:50)

Scripture:

Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV) "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

Discussion Questions:

1. How were chores and household responsibilities handled in your home growing up? Are you mimicking that environment or handling the workload differently in your own home?

2. Are there areas where you might be "over-functioning" for your children? What is one responsibility you could begin transferring to them this summer?

3. Which age-appropriate chore or life skill would be most beneficial for your child to learn right now? What would the training phase look like?

Resources:

- Register for the SOAR Conference today: https://birdsonawiremoms.com/soar

- Listen to the rest of our conversation on WT+: boaw.mom/insider

Want More of This Conversation?

During Wire Talk+, Karen and Emily get real about how chores work in Emily’s houses and Karen demonstrates how to fold a fitted sheet! Don’t sleep on becoming an Insider - learn today!

To become a Wire Talk+ Insider, head to https://www.patreon.com/c/BOAW and join us for the full conversation.