Mayans and many other indigenous cultures have a lot to teach western parents. Like how to raise kids that WANT to do chores – without even asking.<\/p>\n
Turns out, it starts as toddlers who are invited over and over again to doing chores together. The research has turned up some interesting facts.<\/p>\n
1. Don’t reward your toddlers for doing chores. Rewarding them after they finished produced LESS helpful kids later. It is unknown why.<\/p>\n
2. Let your toddler help – even if they make bigger messes or it takes longer. Many modern parents tell the kid to go do something else, indigenous parents keep inviting them to help – even if it takes longer or the parent has to do it twice. “How else will they learn?” was one response.<\/p>\n
3. Expose kids to chores as much as possible. Let them be part of any chore you’re doing. Especially during the early years, children watch adults and want to be a part of it. Instead of lecturing or explaining, simply give them a part of it to do with you. It shows they are part of the social activity of the family – that they belong and are being integrated – not excluded.<\/p>\n
4. Give them tasks appropriate to their skill level. Hold measuring cups while you cook, moving a chair, etc. But it has to be a key part. Parents that give toddlers ‘fake’ projects (like re-sweeping a floor that’s already clean) quickly figure out they aren’t invited to really contribute.<\/p>\n
5. Always work together. Motivation is lost if you divide up chores and everyone works solo. If doing laundry, make sure everyone is folding everyone’s clothes – not just their own. Make them part of a common goal together.<\/p>\n
6. Don’t force it. Don’t force kids to help, offer them opportunities to be part of the activity and invite them to a task instead. It’s a subtle difference, but a huge one. Forcing or demanding creates resistance.<\/p>\n
7. Westerners see children as wanting to just play, indigenous parents see toddlers coming over as an indication they want to help. Be creative and find ways to include them.<\/p>\n