Chores

I'm curious what kind of chores your "older" children do. When I was growing up my sister and I did so many chores that were cleaning related (deep cleaning like dusting, vaccuuming, dishes, laundry, windows, organizing, etc.). Unfortunately we were not involved in that many extra curricular activities (could be a combination of factors why not though) and we had time to help out. My parents were not huge over-achievers and did not push us in academics either.

We were not as young as my DDs 7 and almost 5, but definitely by them time I was 9 or 10 I helped out with that stuff. My parents did not have cleaning people come in and we had a big house so we all had to help out. Also, my parents were both very clean/neat people and came from families that were like that, so it was instilled in me. We didn't do outdoor work as much, we had landscapers.

These days people seem so busy running around to activities on the weekends, birthday parties, and academics during the week that I'm not sure in our lives how I will be able to fit chores like major cleaning in. I do think it's important that they help and don't just watch a cleaning lady come in. I think they need to learn how to take care of stuff in their home and be self-sufficient and I want to teach them the "right" ways to clean like my mom did!!! However, I want to push academics and extracurricular activities a bit more.

How about you? How did you grow up and what are you teaching/will teach your kids? Will boys learn differently than girls?

Message edited 10/17/2010 11:05:07 AM.

Re: Chores

My kids are responsible for ...

putting away laundry (not things that are hung up, they can't reach)

clearing their spot at the table after meals

cleaning up the bathroom after showers, brushing teeth etc

feeding the dog when asked

putting a new bag in the garbage can after the old one is taken out

keeping their rooms neat

They are 5 and 6, but DH and I work opposite shifts, so they are used to helping us out. They actually look for more work (and we give it! )

Re: Chores

Oh thank you for writing this, I feel like a freak because my kids have chores. Many families that I know don't have their kids do chores.

DS 16: mows the lawn, takes garbage/recycling to the curb and back, washes pots and pans after dinner, puts away his own laundry and also washes it if he doesn't tell me he needs something washed in a timely manner. (Ex: Oh mom, I have a game tomorrow, here's my jersey, it's been in my locker. He totally washes that.) Now that he drives he also picks up his sister from practice.

DD 14: vacuums all rugs except bedrooms, empties and fills dishwasher, puts away clothes.

DS 11: takes garbage and recycling out of the house, picks up doggie poo, sets and clears table. puts away clothes.

I'm sure they have more.

Re: Chores

I grew up exactly like the OP. We had cleaning chores on Saturday mornings (vacuuming and dusting). My mom did the bathrooms and floors. Sometimes my sister and I would split things, I did the upstairs, she did downstairs. Sometimes I would dust the whole house and she would vacuum. My brother did the outside things like mow the lawn, take out the garbage. We all took turns cleaning up the kitchen after dinner each night, empty the dishwasher things that like that. My brother loved to clean the kitchen, so we would often trade for whatever his chore was and he would take kitchen duty We all had to put away our own laundry, change sheets, keep rooms clean.

DD is 4. She helps me empty the dishwasher. She loves to take the garbage out . We sweep together sometimes, but I do have a cleaning person...so I'm not sure how I will introduce the heavy cleaning (I still have time).

Re: Chores

No matter how busy my kids will be (and I will add the caveat, that I am VERY mindful not to overschedule - the American Academy of Pediatrics issues a report a year ago saying basically that American parents overschedule their kids, and detract from the single most important developmental tool - free play - which I strongly adhere to), I think it is absolutely ESSENTIAL that they have their own chores and pitch in around the house. My greatest fear in life is to raise a spoiled brat, and I think that, by doing everything for them, there is more of a chance for that.

Alex is 5. Since she's about 3 she has had chores around the house - help clean up toys, help clean up her room, put away the dishes, put the dishes on the table for dinner, etc. I used to give her money here and there for her assistance, but she no longer asks

Now, at 5, she is responsible for cleaning her room. She is also responsible for setting the table, and for clearing her own dishes after dinner. She helps me put away the dishes, and put away the laundry. As she gets older, I'll give her set chores, but for now, whenever I'm cleaning up around the house, I ask for her help and she rarely, if never, puts up a fight.

Re: Chores

The boys have always had chores. Started with simple stuff and just grows as they get older.

Right now:
They help with meal prep (get items from pantry and fridge, sometimes measure, peel potatoes or carrots, etc.

Set the table for meals

Clean the table off after meals - plates and silverware in the sink (or garbage if it's plastic ware), put leftovers in containers (except if it's really messy.. like soup or sauces), wipe down the table.

Sweep the kitchen floor 1x per day - usually before they leave for school. They aren't very good at it.. it's more practice than anything.

Fold and put away their own laundry (we help with higher shelves).

Change their own bedding (we help)

Clean and put away all toys, video game controllers, etc.. when they are finished playing. They also clean the playroom (vacuum/organize/wipe down shelves and tv) 1x per week.

They also help with yard work. They pull weeds, help lay down seed and they have also planted herbs for us.

They also clean the back glass doors with Windex about 1-2 times a month.

In the summer they clean the deck furniture and are always responsible for keeping the yard free of toys after they are done playing.

And I don't know if it is a 'chore' but one of their responsibilities is to do something nice for someone each day.

There are other things that come up here and there.. but those are the 'usuals'.

Re: Chores

DS is 3 and DD is 1. My kids already have "chores." I don't think it is ever to early to have them help within reason.

DS can help "run" the dishwasher. Which means pushing the door closed. Turning the lever and moving the dial.

He helps set the table.

Both kids "sort" the laundry. Right now for DD that means jumping into the pile, but if you make it fun they want to help.

I strongly feel that being part of a family means helping out.

DS likes to help cook. I let him push the cuisenart button and pour in the ingredients. He gets satisfaction from making things and we have time together.

Re: Chores

DD and DS are starting to get chores.

They help set the table and clean off the table.

They put some of their laundry away.

Re: Chores

DDis 4.5.

Im just starting to give her small "chores" like setting the table and cleaning off her spot when she is finished eating.

cleaning up her toys/room

she likes to help me "fold" the laundry

in the next year or so I plan on adding more to her "list"

Re: Chores

My kids do chores also even my 4.5 yr old helps out!

DD9: sweeps the floor, vacuums hallway and her room, loads and empties the dishwasher and for extra money cleans the cat box. She also has to keep her room clean, make bed each day and helps with laundry

DD7: cleans room, puts clothes away, helps sort wash, cleans up after meals, sets the table, makes bed.

DS4: makes bed (sort of), helps dad empty garbage cans around house, sets table and clears plates after meals.

Only my 9 yr gets an allowance for doing chores, the others haven't figured it out yet ;)

Re: Chores

SD is 7 (8 in December).

She does the following:

puts away her laundry (including hanging things up)

clears her place at the table

scoops the cat litter

helps to unload the dishwasher (mostly just puts away the silverware)

keeps her room clean


She doesn't get an allowance, though we do pay her a quarter for every time she scoops the litter.

Re: Chores

At 4 and 5, they just clean their rooms and the playroom. They also clear their dishes from the table.

Re: Chores

Re: Chores

I would have to say that most of the chores are done on the weekends because by the time homework is done, one has soccer, one has basketball, cheer, etc they wouldn't have time to do anything.

The dishes are an everyday chore though and maybe sweeping every other day (just one or two rooms but its quick).

We do laundry on weekends too, unless I am feeling peppy at night (lol)