Chores, jobs and character

Family Counselor & Author Michael Gurian, MFA, shares advice for parents on the benefits that giving your child jobs and chores has for helping them to develop character
How Chores and Jobs Help Children To Build Character
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Chores, jobs and character

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Let´s look at some specific things that you can do as a parent to develop characters and morals in boys. And these can also apply to girls, to all kids but I will work with boys here. Chores, sometimes parents think I will just do it. It´s easier for me to just do it. Sometimes that´s what we are going to do of course. But if you have any energy at all, make sure to get the boy or the girl to do it. And for example, this can start young. You have a two year old, let´s say, and the two year old is sitting on the high chair and the two year drops the spoon. We could pick up the spoon for the two year old or we could say to the two year old get down and pick up your spoon, bring your spoon back up to the table. That´s a metaphor and a reality. that´s a little thing that we are doing. We are compelling the brain of that boy to see a personal responsibility with is actions. And so he gets down and he does that. We are also saying to him you have a purpose. Your purpose isn´t just to eat. Your purpose is to clean up after yourself, to do your chores and so on. And so later, that´s going to be chores, whatever are the chores, taking the garbage out, whatever they are. Making sure the boy is doing chores. They are set up and that he fulfills them, and if he doesn´t that there are consequences. And the last thing to think about as he gets to be 15, 16, go to work. Make sure this kid is working. If he is doing five hours of sports, he can´t work but if he´s not any sports, get a job. 16 or older, get a job. It teaches a lot of character.

Family Counselor & Author Michael Gurian, MFA, shares advice for parents on the benefits that giving your child jobs and chores has for helping them to develop character

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Michael Gurian, MFA, CMHC

Family Counselor & Author

Michael Gurian is the New York Times bestselling author of 25 books published in 21 languages. He provides counseling services at the Marycliff Center, in Spokane, Washington. The Gurian Institute, which he co-founded, conducts research internationally, launches pilot programs and trains professionals. Michael has been called "the people's philosopher" for his ability to bring together people's ordinary lives and scientific ideas.

 He has pioneered efforts to bring neuro-biology and brain research into homes, schools, corporations, and public policy. A number of his books have sparked national debate, including The Wonder of Girls, The Wonder of Boys, and Boys and Girls Learn Differently!, and The Minds of Boys.



Michael has served as a consultant to families, corporations, therapists, physicians, school districts, community agencies, churches, criminal justice personnel and other professionals, traveling to approximately 20 cities per year to keynote at conferences. His training videos (also available as DVDs) for parents and volunteers are used by Big Brother and Big Sister agencies in the U.S. and Canada.

 As an educator, Michael previously taught at Gonzaga University, Eastern Washington University, and Ankara University.  His speaking engagements include Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, Stanford University, Macalester College, University of Colorado, University of Missouri-Kansas City, and UCLA. His philosophy reflects the diverse cultures (European, Asian, Middle Eastern and American) in which he has lived, worked and studied.

Michael's work has been featured in various media, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, USA Today, Newsweek, Time, People Magazine, Reader's Digest, the Wall Street Journal, Forbes Magazine, Parenting, Good Housekeeping, Redbook, and on the Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN, PBS and National Public Radio.

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