Summer may be an opportunity to take it easier and spend more time as a family.

But it's also a great time to introduce new concepts to your children, such as the one that says every member of the family needs to pitch in on chores. A family that cleans up together is a family that has more time to play together.

Some strategies:

- As soon as your children are old enough to understand, instill in them that cleaning up and performing other basic chores around the house is no one person's responsibility — that all share in that responsibility. Of course, as adults and parents, we know we will take on the bulk of the chores, but teaching your child his part will serve double duty: 1) Your children will see how they fit into the family, and 2) Mom and Dad won't be thought of as the children's personal housemaids.

- In our house, the mantra is, "Work first; fun after that." It's a good rule. This lesson helps set a work ethic that translates into other areas of life, including homework, schoolwork, and perhaps your child's career later.

- Mantra No. 2: "If you (or your friends) were the last to use it, you put it away." This simple rule helps keep the fighting down to a minimum. I throw in the statement about friends because, while I think kids should help clean up after play dates at someone else's house, your child's friends may not have been taught this nicety. Therefore, the onus falls on your child's shoulders to do his and his friends' part in cleanup. After all, when you have company for dinner, it's you who cleans up whether or not they volunteer their help.

- Be very clear when giving orders that start with "Clean up the (fill in the blank)." What specifically are you asking for? If you want him to clean his bedroom, does that mean putting books back on the shelf, folding clothes to put in drawers, putting shoes into the closet or ... ? Without this clarity, you and your child won't have the same opinion of what "clean up" means.

- Does your child have everything he or she needs to complete the chore? Broom, mop, duster, bookshelf, toy box? This part is your responsibility.

- Make a chore chart after you talk about what chores your child will be responsible for. If your child is not reading yet, draw or cut pictures from magazines to represent the chore. Ask your child for input on what chores she likes to do and what she despises. Include some chores that are fun on a hot summer's day (washing the dog, watering the fruit trees).

- When assigning chores, also keep in mind your child's readiness level. For instance, your 10-year-old may want to do more grown-up chores such as mow the lawn but may not be strong enough yet to operate the machine or experienced enough to gauge how close to get to your hollyhocks. However, he may have the perfect muscle power to wash the car.

- How old is old enough to give your child chores? You are the ultimate decision-maker when it comes to what age you should give your child chores, but keep in mind that the chores don't have to be complicated. Even a young toddler can learn to pick up a toy he or she played with and put it where it belongs.