Chores are a fantastic way to teach our kids responsibility, work ethic, and build a helpful spirit. On today's episode Morgan is talking about why chores are important and how you can practically add chores to your household at any age and stage.

"Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old he will not depart from it."

Proverbs 22:6

This time-honored Proverb of course applies to our children's spiritual journey, but I believe it also applies to so many other things, reminding us parents of how what we teach our kids now will be what they carry with them for a lifetime.

WHY CHORES?

What chores can teach your kids:

• responsibility
• work ethic
• empowerment
• independence
• autonomy
• a servant's/helpful spirit

2 QUESTIONS THAT HAVE CHANGED EVERYTHING!

"See a need; fill a need."

"If not now, when? If not you, who?"

Harvard study on the importance of chores

AGE APPROPRIATE CHORES:

PRE-SCHOOL (AGES 2-4)

• pick up toys, put in bins
• put away books
• help put away silverware from the dishwasher (if plastic of course)

SCHOOL-AGE (AGES 5-8)

• make bed
• put away clothes
• set or clear dinner table
• sweep

TWEEN (AGES 9-12)

• start training them on how to do their own laundry
• clean room
• bathroom (toilets included)
• mow the lawn
• pull weeds

TEEN (AGES 13+)

• same as all the ages above
• vacuum/mop
• meal prep
• THE GOAL OF THIS AGE GROUP IS TO TEACH LIFE SKILLS AND TIME MANAGEMENT.

DO YOU PAY?

This truly you can do how you like and what works best for you and your family. Also, don't be afraid to pivot if one payment way isn't working.

• PRE-SCHOOL AGE - visual chore charts, sticker charts and treasure boxes are great at these little ages.

some ideas:

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• SCHOOL AGE - we have a chore chart and pay a quarter a chore, but again, you can do something different, this is just an idea.
• TWEEN - at this age an allowance may be a good way to do your pay system. Encourage saving and giving.
• TEEN - I love the idea of paying your teen like you would at a job. Once a week and no loans. This is the age to encourage and instill good money management.

Disclaimer: again, you can make this totally your own and create different systems that work for your household. The ultimate goal here is to raise up responsible, hard-working, independent adults!

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Nothing worthwhile is ever easy and our presence in our children's lives has the ability to impact not just them, but also generations to come. Lean in, I hope you feel encouraged and maybe a little challenged by today's episode.

YOUR PRESENCE IN YOUR HOME MATTERS.

Start with knowing who you are: where do you find your identity?

"Your job is just what you do, not who you are."

Sage Journal : Positive Involved Dads

3 Practical ways to be more present

1. Remove Distractions

2. Set Aside the To-Do List

3. Create Intentional and Consistent Family Time

You have created this beautiful family, now go enjoy each other. Enter into your kids' worlds, get to know who they are and their friends. Have fun together!

You have an amazing opportunity and privilege to impact your kids for a lifetime and when you take the time to live fully present in your life, you will find so much more JOY in it!

I apologize in advance for the weird audio in the middle and end of this episode. I recorded in a different room and the air conditioning was horribly loud in the background and then there was a crazy bird chirping that I couldn't edit out. So hopefully it isn't too distracting and you can hang in there until the end. Love you friends! Thanks for your patience as I keep learning how to do this better and better.

If you are in a season of loneliness, this one is for you. As moms, we are struggling with this. The research shows it.

Harvard study: "36% of all Americans feel lonely 'frequently' or 'almost all of the time'".

Heath Day poll from 2024: about 1 in 3 U.S. adults feel lonely "at least once a week."

"It is not good for man to be alone"

Genesis 2:18

5 scripture verses to help you if you are lonely:

1. Joshua 1:9
2. Psalm 23:4
3. Psalm 73:23
4. Lamentations 3:22-24
5. 1 Peter 5:7

Take Away: Instead of looking inward or outward to deal with our loneliness, let's choose to look upward.

God trades our anxieties, fears, doubts, etc. for His perfect peace and JOY!

REST FOR THE WEARY MAMA is coming soon!!! I would love if you wanted to join the launch team, helping get the word out about the book and getting early access to the book before it goes live on Amazon and other retailers. I would be so honored!

FILL OUT THIS FORM IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE A PART OF THE LAUNCH TEAM.