Monday’s Parenting Thought

When is a child old enough?

For chores: Elizabeth Crary’s book, PICKING UP YOUR SOCKS suggests ages that kids are able to do household chores. But in the end, you should make your own decision about when kids are ready based on what you see in your own child. No one knows your child better than you do.

For privileges: Consider age, emotional control, and decision-making.

1. When do most other kids have the privilege you are considering?

2. Is your child over the top when he is angry or frustrated? Totally distracted when he is excited?

3. Does your child do the right thing and the safe thing most of the time – even if his friends are pulling him in a different direction.

Remember that every child is different, even those in the same family. What one 6-year-old is ready for another may not be. Treat every child as an individual case.

Inspired by IF I CROSSED THE ROAD by Stephen Kroninger

More about what kids are ready for at  When Are Kids Old Enough?