Do you have your children do chores around the house? We do here. I have a chore/job list for each boy and they must finish it before doing “fun” stuff like swimming.
We also pay them allowance based on some of the jobs on the chart. We do not pay for cleaning up after yourself.
Here are a few pictures of things our boys do:) sorry about the picture quality:(
Make their beds, and pick up the dirty clothes in their room,
Lil Guy takes the clothes hampers to the laundry room.
Big guy Feeds the dog, checks for chicken eggs,
Waters House plants and Occasionally does some trim mowing.
They work together on the dishwasher three times a week.
Big guy Practices piano everyday.
They work together to fold a basket of wash twice a week,
and they have to organize the toy corner twice a week.
Little guy also empties small trash cans once a week and waters some outside plants with the hose.
Big guy vacuums the hardwood floors twice a week and the carpet twice a week.
If they are feeling motivated they easily accomplish this in an hour.
We use the allowance money as an opportunity to teach saving and healthy spending, as well as an
“attitude adjuster” at times by docking for sassing and back-talking,
I have been surprised at how much better they get along when they have to work and not just play all day!
What Chores do your children do and what tips can you share?
Dorcas
July 21st, 2010 - 1:40 pm
I think this is very interesting topic and am hoping more people give there 2 cents on it!!
I think my little boys are much happier when I make sure and keep the day structured…
what chores can a 2 yr. old do besides errands an picking up toys clothes etc?
I have a 1 an 2 yr old and baby #3 coming!!
July 23rd, 2010 - 7:11 am
My kids are too young to do chores w/o help/supervision, but I’ve been working on teaching my daughter how to do a few things around the house (laundry, dishes, etc). She is also responsible for clearing the house of all toys before lunch and bedtime (putting them all in the toy room). Once she’s able to complete a chore w/o help/supervision, I’ll start having her share some of the responsibility of getting that chore done each week.
July 23rd, 2010 - 7:58 am
Our kids do do chores, and we also pay them … when I remember to assign them chores and when I remember to pay them. Needless to say it is a haphazard thing, but I appreciate all your suggestions, they may help us become more organized.
July 23rd, 2010 - 8:36 am
I think it’s great that your children are learning the value of earning/managing money (for paid chores) as well as personal and family responsibilities (for unpaid chores). Both are so important.
My son is 2 1/2 and we’ve always had him help pick up toys before nap and bedtime. The other day, I was so proud of him because he did it without being asked before nap! He also helps me unload the dishwasher (tupperware and silverware) and he LOVES to load the washer with clothes! Everything but the picking up toys are things that he’s wanted to do, and I think that helps now ( and will help later) with attitude issues.
Thanks for sharing with us!
July 23rd, 2010 - 9:58 am
My children have “morning musts” they must accomplish each day. These include making beds, brushing teeth, bringing down and sorting laundry on MWF and reading their Bibles. The other chores I am not too organized on (although I wish I were). They feed the dog and clean her pen, help put away laundry, help start the washer, sometimes do the dishwasher, vacuum and dust and I used to have them scrub the bathrooms but, frankly, that is an area I NEED to be cleaned right and they weren’t getting it…I took the job back from them for the help of all concerned…should probably give it back and just supervise until they get it right but haven’t done it yet!
July 23rd, 2010 - 11:19 am
It takes time and effort to be consistent with the chores. It’s great to start early with the basics – making beds, picking up toys before bedtime, etc. so they see those things as part of daily living.
Someone has said about kids and chores: “You get what you inspect, not what you expect.” and I think that’s where chores get difficult. I’ve been guilty of handing out assignments and then getting distracted and not following up to see that they are done before they start playing. Nothing worse than bedtime coming around and you realize that their rooms are still disasters…..
For me, it worked best to keep the chore lists simple and few. If they are responsible for their rooms/bathroom and say, one other task per day, I’m pretty happy with that.
July 23rd, 2010 - 12:53 pm
This year we started “chore charts”: http://julieday.typepad.com/blog/2010/03/march-2628-concluding-a-week-of-small-things-for-kids-tackle-those-charts.html, these are tied directly to allowance: http://julieday.typepad.com/blog/2010/05/may-20-challenge-money-matters.html. We pair the 2 as responsibilities and benefits. I use Katherine’s “Chore Chart” over at http://www.raisingfive.com, she is inspired!
I love the idea of giving kids jobs that make them “indispensable”. They may complain, but it’s probably nice for them to know that the home just wouldn’t run as smoothly without their help!
July 24th, 2010 - 12:13 pm
I agree with Rachel Anne’s comments. Inspecting is important as is not getting distracted (which I am so guilty of). Keep up the effort everyone–it’s worth it to teach kids what is a part of daily living. I have to keep it simple too. My kids are older, and my inconsistency is evident when they groan about the simplest of tasks. We are working on it! great topic!
July 25th, 2010 - 9:39 pm
Chores are important. I think they give kids the sense that they are part of a family and also gives them and idea of getting what you put into something. During the school year I try to “let things go” in the morning as far as picking up clothes and making beds because I like them to have a chance to eat and not be frantic before walking out the door, however, they do have to get these things done when they get home. It’s great time-management practice too because many times some of them *will* make sure to do these few things before school so they don’t have to in the afternoon! I also think kids are capable of much more than we think. . .I know my now-6-yr-old does WAY more than his 11-yr-old bro did at the same age. It’s all about expectations. Good for you, getting them started early with these domestic tasks. . .I’m very thankful that my MIL taught my husband how to pick up after himself too!