How much do your teens do around the house? Do they have regular chores? We have decided to get the children taking more responsibility at home. It was one of the conditions to getting our new puppy that they would roll up their sleeves and get involved. Research shows that getting outdoors as a family is vital for health and happiness. We know that it releases those happy hormones.
We have also decided that both Chloe and Dylan will take responsibility for cooking dinner once a week. I want them both to be able to prepare a healthy, nutrious, filling dinner. Chloe is off to University in a years time and I want her too be skilled up ready too provide for herself. Dylan is younger but does actually enjoy cooking so I want to encourage this and make it normal. Again we know eating the right foods affect moods.
As a teen myself I had a part time job but did not do much about the house apart from tidying my own room. I washed up infrequently and probably did not do enough. One job I do recall though is washing the car on a Sunday afternoon. It was a ritual that after a yummy Sunday Roast the car wouuld be washed. It would be a family affair and dare I say something that was actually quite fun. I was paid for doing this as part of my posket money.
My husband is very particular about our cars and always hand washes them. They are never taken to car washers, instead it is done to his high standards at home. However I am aware that he is in the minority with many now paying for a handwash at supermarkets or similar. Armor All carried out some research which found 22% of respondents claiming that they normally take their car to a professional car cleaning service. A further 12% stated that they don’t wash their car at all.
Furthermore the research showed that nearly half (42%) of parents haven’t spent time playing with their children outside in the past two weeks, with 20% not having done so in over two months and 8% in over six months. What a sad statistic. This is not a reflection of our family but did get me thinking about the times I claim to be too busy to play a game or head outside for family fun. LiveStrong have ideas for teens who claim to be bored but need to get outside more.
The return of the car wash
In light of these results, Armor All is calling for the return of the family car wash as a great way of getting everybody outside at home and enjoying time together. Once a regular family pastime, the survey revealed that more than a third (31%) of children today had never washed a car in their lives.
Teenagers are often relunctant to get involved in getting outdoors activities with their parents but benefits are obvious. Teens and children need fresh air. So far mine are helping walk the dog and I am hoping this continues after they return to school. We have noticed that they are all going outdoors more and staying off their devices for longer. Thankfully the football and hockey season start again this month and they will both get more outside running about time.
Doing Chores is Valuable to Children’s Happiness and Health
Being outdoors has many advantages it reduces stress, increases memory and even sstrengthens immunity. Therefore if you teenagers moan just tell them you are looking after their health.
Do your children get involved with washing the car? What jobs are allocated to them in the week.
