A HELPING HAND Teach Kids Responsibility With Age-Appropriate Chores
One morning as you’re driving to work, a reckless driver runs a red light and smashes into the side of your vehicle. You’re shocked and shaken, but after you get your bearings, you check your body and, miraculously, there don’t seem to be any injuries besides a bruise here and there. You get their insurance information, report the accident to the police, and go on your way hoping the pain goes away. Several days go by and your neck is getting worse. You are not a litigious person, so you treat it conservatively through your family doctor, but it gets worse. Before you know it, almost two years of medical care have gone by and a question begins to nag you: How long do I have to bring a case in Georgia? Chores have often been a regular aspect of a family household. However, many parents today are questioning the importance of assigning housework over extracurricular activities like learning a second language, practicing a musical instrument, or participating in sports. Data collected by Braun Research found that 82 percent of adults were assigned chores as a child, whereas only 28 percent say they assign chores to their own children. While extracurriculars are important, many experts, including University of Maryland psychology professor Roger W. McIntire, cite the benefits of chores in a child’s development. In McIntire’s book “Raising Good Kids in Tough Times,” he states, “A child has to have some responsibilities.” A study from the University of Minnesota analyzed data from 84 children across four periods of their lives: preschool, ages 10 and 15, and their mid-20s. Researchers
found that young adults who had regular chores at the age of 3 or 4 were more likely to have better interpersonal relationships, academic and career success, and were more likely to be self-sufficient compared to those without chores or those who started them as a teenager.
Here are a few age-appropriate chores to help your kids take on more responsibilities around the house:
Ages 2–4
Ages 8–10
• Help make their beds • Clean up toys • Put dirty clothes in the laundry basket • Dust easy-to-reach places • Help clean up spills with supervision • Bring plastic utensils to the table
• Keep bedroom clean • Fold and put away laundry
• Vacuum carpets • Change sheets on bed regularly • Bring trash cans out to the curb on trash day
Ages 5–7
• Feed and water pets • Put away light groceries • Empty indoor trash cans • Sweep and mop floors with supervision •Water plants • Set the table for dinner
• Help with lawn work (pulling weeds, raking leaves, etc.)
STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS
The time limit is called the statute of limitations, and it differs from state to state and for different types of claims. The shortest statute is for slander and libel claims, where it is one year from the statement. For personal injury and wrongful death, the statute is generally two years, but there are two key exceptions. The most important exception is for cases where a traffic ticket was issued. The two-year timer does not start running until the traffic ticket is resolved or paid. In a case where the defendant driver received a DUI, these can take two years to resolve. That means the injury case can be brought two years plus two years after the crash. The other major exception is for minors who are injured. Although the claim for their medical bills must be brought within two years, the
timer on the pain and suffering component does not start running until their 18th birthday. So, if they are injured at 10 years old, they have until they are 20 to bring forth the pain and suffering part of their case, unless their parents settled it for them.
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
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