One way to make sure that your child is on the right track is to give him a chance to take on more responsibilities at home. Delegating household chores will build a sense of competency and self-esteem in your daughter or son; and work around the house also teaches your child that jobs and responsibilities are integral to life. Kids who grow up with this understanding have an easier time, in the long run, with the transition to adulthood.

What chores can my tween handle?

In addition to the tasks that your child had been handling before—making his bed, cleaning his room, taking care of pets—tweens can begin take on more substantial chores.

Younger tweens can:

• help prepare meals
• load the dishwasher
• put away groceries
• put away laundry
• mop
• vacuum

• cook meals with supervision
• clean bathrooms
• wash windows
• wash cars
• wash and fold laundry
• mow lawn
• clean kitchen
• change sheets
• make cookies or cake from a packaged mix