Fall is here, and the leaves are falling! Chilly weather, colorful leaves, and the long-sought-after "PSL" *Starbucks lovers know what we're talking about* mean it's finally time to cozy up and breathe before the arrival of the holidays. But wait. Those picturesque red, orange, and yellow leaves adorning our front yards aren't going to rake themselves. Since yard work isn't likely to happen without some effort, and because it's our job as parents to teach our children responsibility, we can use this opportunity to teach our kids how to help with yard work. Here are some parenting tips.

Teaching your kids to help with yard work.

Enlisting the help of your children in cleaning the yard serves a multitude of purposes. For starters, it's the perfect opportunity to spend time as a family by doing something that benefits the entire household. It's also a great way to have some fun with your kids, and teach them about what it means to contribute to a household in non-monetary ways. Remember, you are teaching them how to live without you so that they can be happy, healthy, high-functioning human beings when they leave your house. To help make parenting and yard work easier, here are a few tips you can use.

A little bit of responsibility goes a long way.

Have you been dreaming of the day your kids can spend time together without an argument ensuing? Now is the perfect time to get them to work as a team by using yard work as a shared responsibility between them by getting them to rake leaves together. While opting to give each of them a rake is one route you can take, you can successfully encourage teamwork by having one rake the leaves while the other bags them. After a few minutes, call for a switch! If you notice one of your kids getting impatient and trying to hasten the process, intervene and ask him to be patient. Reminding him that there is still plenty of time and plenty of work still left to do will help. Teaching them to share this responsibility will go a long way in their relationship as siblings, as well as in their adult life. 

Give your kids something they can handle.

Not every chore is suitable for every child, which is why it's important to delegate duties according to ease and capability. For a child who is no more than six years old, begin with the simpler tasks of watering plants and planting flowers. As they grow, begin assigning tasks such as throwing the leaves and other trash in the garbage can, and mowing the lawn.The good news is, kids are quick learners and will soon be able to complete these tasks without supervision or guidance. When you've reached that stage, it would a good time to setup a reward system fulfilled by a universal wishlist to encourage your kids to do yard work without being asked.