British youngsters are helping with household chores
(01/05/2008)

The traditional image of children loafing around on the sofa is being challenged by research from Hotpoint, which shows that 75% of children help out with household chores several times a week, with 43% of them helping out every single day.

From feeding the dog to loading the washing machine, the ‘Hotpoint’s Little Helpers’ survey conducted in association with Netmums reveals the variety of chores that children are embarking on:

Hotpoint’s Little Helpers Top Chores % of children | Hotpoint’s Little Helpers Bottom Chores % of children
Putting away their toys 92% | Cleaning the bathroom 8%
Loading the washing machine 66% | Cleaning the kitchen 9%
Taking their plate off the table 63% | Walking the dog 10%
Tidying their bedroom 63% | Taking out the rubbish 13%
Setting the table 53% | Making breakfast 21%
Unpacking the shopping 52% | Loading & unloading the dishwasher 26%
Dusting 50% | Washing up 27%
Helping with the cooking 48% | Vacuuming 29%
Helping in the garden 48% | Sorting out the recycling 29%
Hanging out the washing 42% | Feeding the pets 31%

Not surprisingly as children get older they take on more, with 85% of children over five tidying their bedrooms compared to 49% of under fives, and 46% of over fives feeding the pets compared to 23% of under fives. However, under fives still like to get their hands dirty, with 72% helping to load the dishwasher and 47% helping in the garden.

Scottish kids set the standard on helping out at home, with over half (51%) helping with chores every day compared with 37% kids from the North West. However kids in Northern Ireland are the top of the league by helping out with most chores including, cooking, loading the dishwasher, dusting and vacuuming. London kids do the least in Britain, coming bottom of the league table.

Ian Moverley, Brand Marketing Manager for Hotpoint said: “Parents are busier now more than ever before. Even with the labour saving appliances we produce, everyone at home has to muck in, which is why we make sure all our products are safe for little hands and inquisitive fingers, from safety locks on washing machines to touch safe induction hobs.”

British mums feel it is important for children to help out; only 13% of those surveyed pay their children pocket money as a reward for helping out, while 83% expect children to help out as part of the family.

Siobhan Freegard, founder of Netmums said: “Our mums are very passionate about their children helping around the home, we received hundreds of tips to help motivate kids with the household chores.”

Netmums’ Mum’s top tips:
1. Let your child copy you, as they see this as playtime and feel grown-up
2. Encourage your child to help out with simple chores, they may ask you if they can help out with more
3. Don’t let your child get out of their depth, if you don’t feel a chore is safe, don’t let them do it
4. Give each member of the family a specific chore (e.g. feed the fish, set the table) that is theirs to do as and when needed
5. Make the chores part of the family routine, and when possible, do them together – this is a great for bonding and problem solving
6. A reward scheme like gold or silver stickers make children feel proud of their achievements

Celebrity mum Gail Porter says “I used to always help my mum out around the house, and I encourage my daughter to do the same. Whether it’s cooking or cleaning I try to make every job fun, but at the same time instil some vital life skills at an early age. I certainly don’t want to be still doing her washing and cleaning when she gets older – it’ll be her turn to return the favour and look after me then!”

[View all articles about Hotpoint]

Related categories: Kids and children Teenagers Tweenagers

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British youngsters are helping with household chores (01/05/2008)

British youngsters are helping with household chores
(01/05/2008)