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myLot reputation of 97/100. deebomb (10022)   ranked 72 out of 2,147 in children 4 years ago

I found a way to get teen agers to do their chores. Our yard has needed to be mowed for a while now. We have had so much rain lately that it is really growing. My grandson lives with me and is supposed to do it. A friend of his has invited him to go to New York over spring break. Well I told him he had to have the yard mowed by the time they left next Friday night. I had my doubts that he would get it done because he also has an after school job. He and his friend are out there mowing it right now. He is really excited about going. They talked about driving up their by them selves last year. The friend's parent are taking the boys. My grandson is a good kids but hates chores of any kind. He does them but usually give me some grief first. They had me go out on the upper deck to see how they were doing. They had mowed a big I Heart You.

 

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ruthinian (654) response was accepted on 3/21/2008.
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tags:  chores, teenager, children, discussion, friend
 
1. myLot reputation of 100/100. terri0824 (3607)   ranked 585 out of 2,147 in children   4 years ago

I too have always struggled with getting my two daughters to do any chores, and usually have to hang things such as this over their head to get it done without any lip. Right now, my youngest one better have a list of things done before she leaves out today, or it will be putting herself one step closer to being booted out the door.

That's awesome that they mowed that into the lawn. Did you think to take a pic of it?


myLot reputation of 97/100. deebomb (10022)   ranked 72 out of 2,147 in children  4 years ago

When kids are younger they are more than willing to do their chores. Then they seem to get a sort of disease the they think they don't have to do them any more. I thought it was awesome too. i didn't have a camera to take a picture of it. I wish that I did.

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2. myLot reputation of 74/100. aero89 (232)   ranked 1,486 out of 2,147 in children   4 years ago

How sweet that they mowed I Heart You :-D Sounds like a nice kid!

Hopefully you guys can work it out after spring break to where he doesn't give you so much grief about daily housework. Meeting in the middle is fair with teenagers, so I'm sure if he had incentive, he be happy to sit down at the table hehe. Same thing as adulthood, working for the things you want... so what does he want? What do you want from him?

Happy negotiating :-)


myLot reputation of 97/100. deebomb (10022)   ranked 72 out of 2,147 in children  4 years ago

He usually does what I ask him to do. I think he like to give me grief just to show his independence. He really is a good kid. He just doesn't always understand why some things need to be done.

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3. myLot reputation of 97/100. Polly1 (9354)   ranked 339 out of 2,147 in children   4 years ago

Ahhh, that is so sweet of them to mow that in the yard, it brought tears to my eyes. I bet your heart just melted. I hope they have a wonderful and exciting trip. Good going Grandma, crack that whip.


myLot reputation of 97/100. deebomb (10022)   ranked 72 out of 2,147 in children  4 years ago

I think he was hoping My heart would melt enough to let him off the mowing. It was so sweet. I'm sure he will have a grand time. This friend took him to Florida a couple of years ago too. They are very nice people. He is very excited about the trip.

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4. myLot reputation of 97/100. queenofarms (1339)   ranked 1,078 out of 2,147 in children   4 years ago

Isn't amazing how much you can get a teenager to do, when they want to go somewhere. I tell my boys to clean their room. It will get done if they want something or to go somewhere.

When I was a teen I had set weekly chores. And I did them everyday. I fI didn't there was heck to pay. I try to raise my children that way but its not working. Bribery always works though...LOL


myLot reputation of 97/100. deebomb (10022)   ranked 72 out of 2,147 in children  4 years ago

I wish I knew why kids today don't think they should help around the house or keep their rooms clean.

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5. myLot reputation of 83/100. ruthinian (654)   4 years ago

thumbup Kids, especially teenagers are hard to motivate to do chores. It's not fun. Even adults like us hate chores, don't we? But motivation is the magic word to make them do what we want them to do. And they work better with someone or a group. It is because they are used to that, remember they are still in their school age. And we need to be creative in giving them chores, we need to sugar coat everything because no matter how we look at it, it is still hard work, boring and not cool. But of course, with a friend doing it with him, it turns into play. So you are lucky to make him work. Rewards keep them going too.


myLot reputation of 97/100. deebomb (10022)   ranked 72 out of 2,147 in children  4 years ago

When they get to be 19 you would hope that they have gotten the idea that chores need to be done. He knows that I can't do it. Sometimes he is so good. Then sometimes He just wants to see me get after him and pretend he's not going to.


myLot reputation of 83/100. ruthinian (654)  4 years ago

Thanks for making this the best response. I really appreciate it. Yes, kids sometimes like to tease adults first before they do what they are told. They are really playful not knowing that sometimes they hurt us. Take care.

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6. mikewolf (10)   ranked 1,553 out of 2,147 in children   4 years ago

This really takes me back in time I lived with my Grandparents for a long time. I hated chores but I loved my Grandparents, and I would do anything they asked of me. I never really cleaned the house much Grandma always did that, I did always offer to do something during the spring i would till up the garden and plant it for them and cut the grass on a weekly bases. I always did the yard work (while papaw watched) he would always surprise me if there was something I needed he would get it for me,I treated them the same if they needed something done I did it without question it always made them happy for that I am thankful a smile said more than enough for me and that was all I needed was to know they were happy. Still till this day if they need help I will help them my cousin who is about 10 years younger than I lives with them know and I hope that he'll do the same things for them I have done,and keep them smiles rolling off there faces


myLot reputation of 97/100. deebomb (10022)   ranked 72 out of 2,147 in children  4 years ago

He is really a good kid. I love him to death, but since I have had him since he was 2 years old he thinks of me as his mother so sometimes he thinks he can get out of some of his chores. I see that you love your grandparents very much. What would we do without them.

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7. myLot reputation of 98/100. emeraldisle (8959)   4 years ago

Never underestimate the power of bribery or blackmail when it comes to teenagers :) I know I've learned with helping to raise my niece how it can be very effective. She cleaned her room up on Friday night because she wanted to go places this weekend and she knew she couldn't unless she cleaned it Like your grandson she doesn't like to do chores but will do them if the incentive is right. Amazing how it works for us isn't it?

I think that is very sweet that they mowed that I heart you. Sounds like he is a very good kid over all.


myLot reputation of 97/100. deebomb (10022)   ranked 72 out of 2,147 in children  4 years ago

He is a good kid and I love him to death but he is still a kid and knows what buttons to push. Your right blackmail and bribery will get you a lot when it comes to kids


myLot reputation of 98/100. emeraldisle (8959)  4 years ago

It's amazing how they know which buttons to push, both good and bad. Glad though to hear he's a good kid. It's nice to hear that from time to time. You hear so much about the bad ones that it's refreshing to find out there are stll good kids around.

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8. myLot reputation of 95/100. twoey68 (10563)   ranked 542 out of 2,147 in children   4 years ago

Isn't it cute how when they want something they hop right to it? I've always found it a great motivator with kids.

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9. myLot reputation of 78/100. suspenseful (19614)   ranked 157 out of 2,147 in children   4 years ago

Teenagers do not like doing things just because it has to be done. I know. If they think that it is a chore then they will not clean their rooms, etc. It is like us needing to take a walk, but we say, "I am not going to take a walk just to lose two pounds," but if it is to go to the Mall to window shop or to our friend's house for a visit, then that is a reason to take a walk.
So all you have to do now is to promise them something or allow them to go somewhere special or for them to do something as a result of finishing their chores, and they will do it. Rather crafty, but it works. wink


myLot reputation of 97/100. deebomb (10022)   ranked 72 out of 2,147 in children  4 years ago

Yes we all need bribed once in a while.

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10. myLot reputation of 95/100. wrld_n_harmony (354)   4 years ago

How cute about the "I Heart You" in the grass! YEA for doing chores without complaining!!!!


myLot reputation of 97/100. deebomb (10022)   ranked 72 out of 2,147 in children  4 years ago

Now if I could just get him to clean his room.


myLot reputation of 95/100. wrld_n_harmony (354)  4 years ago

The key to getting teens to do their chores is to find something they really want (in this case: going to NY,) and then allowing them to have it ONLY when they complete their chore(s). Of course, it has to be something they REALLY want or want to do, AND they have to know that you won't let them have it/ do it if they don't do their chores! Good luck! I'm sure you're doing a great job!


myLot reputation of 97/100. deebomb (10022)   ranked 72 out of 2,147 in children  4 years ago

You are so right. I wish we could program teens the way we can our computers.

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