I once read a quote that stated "having young children is like constantly cleaning up after a party you didn't get to attend."

So true, right? Sometimes it seems that attempting to keep up with work, household duties, social obligations, and - of course - childrearing and all the joys that go along with it feels like brushing your teeth while eating Oreos: utterly pointless and counterproductive.

Happily, those little mess-makers in your home often love to be big helpers too, if you give them the right opportunity. There are so many benefits to giving your kids household responsibilities at an early age, including:

• Giving them a feeling of ownership and autonomy in the home.
• Instilling habits of hard work - and pride in a job well done.
• Establishing expectations of family contributions that will continue as they grow.
• Teaching valuable life and household skills
• Practicing biblical principles (check out Proverbs 6:6-11, Philppians 2:14, and Colossians 3:23)

Even children as young as two or three are capable of maintaining simple household responsibilities - and the earlier you start, the better, so that chores become a regular part of their lives. Not sure where to start? Here are some suggestions for age-appropriate chores for preschoolers and kindergarteners:

Age 2-3

• Take their dirty laundry to the laundry basket
• Fill a pet's water and food bowls (with supervision)
• Help a parent clean up spills and dirt
• Dust
• Set the table

Age 4-5

• Clear the table after meals
• Help parents with cooking
• Pull weeds
• Put away clean silverware
• Clean floors with dustpan and broom
• Sort and help load laundry
• Match and put away clean socks
• Water flowers

Age 6-7

• Empty the dishwasher
• Put away their own laundry
• Use a lightweight or small vacuum
• Help gather trash and empty indoor cans for garbage night
• Scrub or wet mop floors
• Dry dishes
• Wash dishes with supervision
• Put together their own simple snacks
• Rake leaves

You may think that the all-important chore - putting away toys - is conspicuously absent in this list. That's because, at least in our household, that falls under a general personal responsibility and expectation that you clean up your own messes. If you get it out, you put it away (or mommy/daddy does...and then it's gone for quite a while!). This happens without fail every afternoon and every evening before bed. Also, along the same lines, if someone spills something at mealtime or snacktime, they help clean it up!

What about accountability? Should you pay your children to complete their chores. You'll find split opinions on this one, but I (and many others that I greatly respect) are in the "no" camp on that one. Why? Chores are not something you do because you expect a reward; they're simply part and parcel of living in unity and respect with your family. It's expected that everyone does their part to make the home run smoothly.

There are several tools out there - both DIY and ready-made - to help families manage responsibilities and keep the kiddos accountable for their jobs. We employ the Melissa and Doug Magnetic Responsibility Chart, but you may also want to check out this neat article from The Spruce with several creative ideas for family chore charts.

I asked my 6-year-old tonight why he thinks it's good for kids to do chores, and he put it simply: "Because we all want to help make our house happy and healthy and stuff." While recognizing that sometimes he takes a little prodding to get his work done (sometimes more prodding than mom and dad would like!), I asked whether he likes doing his chores. His answer? "Yeah!" Why? "Because it feels good to get something done and be helpful."

And while I've had to pull the Philippians 2:14 card out more than once ("Do everything without complaining and arguing"), in general, I'm so glad to know that our kids are learning to handle little responsibilities now, because "to those who are faithful with a little, more will be given." And it's my hope that with greater responsibility, these kids will know greater joy in serving others and ultimately serving the Lord.

Chores and household responsibilities are just one way you can help prepare your young child for the road ahead. If you've got a preschooler and are wondering how to get them ready for kindergarten and beyond, sign up for tomorrow's FREE webcast on prearparing your child for kindergarten!