If you’re a parent of young children, you likely look forward to the days when your kids can take on more responsibility and begin helping out around the house. Once your kids become teenagers, they can essentially do any household chore that you do as an adult. However, because many modern kids don’t spend much time outside, you may want to consider having your teens be in charge of the outdoor chores to help them get more fresh air on a regular basis. To help you know which chores to assign and how to best help them accomplish their tasks, here are three outdoor chores you teen can help with.
Mowing The Lawn
Even though some chores may seem dangerous to have your younger kids do now, like working with tools and machinery or cleaning out the gutters, teenagers can generally be trusted with these types of tasks. Especially things like mowing the lawn can be beneficial for your teen to do because it could open them up for other potential job opportunities helping out other neighbors or friends. But just like with all chores, if you have a particular way you want your lawn to be mowed, Amy Morin, a contributor to Very Well Family, suggests that you clearly lay out your expectations before you send your teen out to do the job. This might include having you stick close by the first time they mow the lawn so you can correct anything that you don’t want done at future times.
Clean the Car and Garage
If your teen is approaching the driving years, a great chore to give them is responsibility over keeping the cars and garage cleaned. This will prepare them for when they have their own car and have sole responsibility of taking care of it. According to Successful-Parenting.com, be sure you give your teen a detailed list of what cleaning the car and garage actually entails. This should include things like washing both the inside and the outside of the car, including all glass and mirrors, along with organizing toys, boxes, or other items that stay in the garage.
Gardening
For families who are able to have a garden at their home, you may want to have your teens take a more active role in this endeavor. Not only will this help you have less to take care of on your own, but it will also teach them some very important life skills. If you’re having a hard time convincing your teen to get interested and involved in the garden, Lori Johnston, a contributor to HGTV, shares that you could make these chores something that they’re able to do with other members of the family or even with their friends.
If you want your teens to help more around the house and get more fresh air, consider giving them chores done primarily outside.