Summer Idea

Parents now seem to feel pressure to do everything for their kids. The dads cut off the crusts instead of teaching the kids to just eat the part of the sandwich they want. The moms wash all the apples when they get back from the grocery store instead of teaching the kids to do it for themselves.  Not just special needs parents…many parents of capable, typical kids do the same.

If you are a mom or dad who has the time and energy for these things and you genuinely do not feel overwhelmed, then I’m all for it…do whatever works for you. That said, I do think kids learn and grow from being held responsible for some things themselves. 

Not Sure Where to Start?

Here’s a chore list by typical age. Of course, this won’t exactly apply to our special kiddos.

 For example, Mikey is 21. He could do many of the chores on this list, but he’s not capable of any of the 12+ chores. It would not be safe for me to ask those things of him.

He can, however, be asked to wash his own apple. Summer is a time when the school expectations are much lower, even if your child has extended school year (summer school). So, my idea for making your Mondays (and all your other days) less manic is to choose one or two chores to turn over to your child this summer. Then, they will have practiced and be proficient when the school year rolls around in the fall. You are empowering them and lightening your load.