1. Wash dishes
2. Do homework
3. Read a book
4. Clean room
5. Make bed
6. Take care of pets
7. Set the table
8. Practice instrument
9. Help cook
10. Water plants
I was reading this list on the handipoints site this morning and wondered how everyone else’s children stacked up to these chores.
Collectively my children only do three of these top ten chores. We don’t have pets. The few plants that I do have that are clinging to life in spite of me, I water. Homework and reading I don’t really consider to be “chores”
What are the top ten chores in my house?
1) Unload dishwasher
2) Vacuum family room
3) Clean off breakfast room table
4) Sweep under table
5) Make your own bed
6) Straighten up mudroom closet
7) Mow lawn
8 )Carry groceries in from car and put away
9) Clean up all outdoor toys
10) Clean downstairs half-bath
Except for mowing the lawn, which is only done by my older children (10 and up), these chores are done by ages 6 and up. Children are amazingly capable if we allow them to help.
Though we did just have an incident at my house this past week where a child who was responsible for cleaning up the family room was shoving all the toys under the furniture rather than putting them away. I am not really sure why he chose to do this, it would have been just as easy to put them in their baskets where they belong. Not to mention the emotional stress he must have felt about doing something “wrong” and then getting caught. And then having to deal with the GINORMOUS pile of toysthat I dragged out from under the furniture and left in the center of the room for him.
I was really annoyed by it too. And my husband, having to bear the brunt of my annoyance, said “Well, it is your job to check up on them and make sure they are doing their jobs correctly, right?”
And then I killed him. Okay, not really. I grudgingly admitted that he was right and my annoyance really should be directed at myself. And realized that I do need to check up on my children, even if only doing random spot checks. Because they are children and it is human nature to take short cuts and slack off.
What sort of chores do your children do? And how do you make sure they are doing them properly?
My oldest just turned three. So we are just starting set chores for him. He has always done little things like taking care of his plate after meals. I am curious to hear what others do though.
Comment by Midsummer Night — July 15, 2007 @ 4:21 pm
My two kids are 2 and 5.
The five year old can set the table, help make salads, help load the dishwasher.
Both kids can straighten up our entry way (mostly hanging up coats, putting away shoes) and gather dirty laundry for the laundry basket and recycling for our blue box.
Both kids are expected to clean up strewn toys, although I still have to step-by-step instruct the younger.
The five year old is responsible for providing food and water for the cat and rabbit, but she is reminded to do so. I still do the litter boxes.
Neither is tall enough to make the bed (I have short kids). I also don’t consider homework or reading to be chores.
Comment by wookie — July 15, 2007 @ 5:22 pm
Our 6 year-old puts his toys away, folds and puts away his laundry (occasionally washes and dries it,) changes his sheets and unloads the dishwasher. He also frequently (whenever asked) sets the table and refills the dogs’ waters.
Our newly-9 puts away her toys, washes, folds, and puts away her laundry, and picks up dog poop daily. As asked she also sets the table, changes her sheets and refills the dogs’ waters.
My 16-yr-old stepson (never here except on school nights) picks up after himself, does all his laundry, cleans the kids’ bathroom, empties house trash, and takes garbage cans to curb. He also sets and clears the table and loads the dishwasher as asked.
All three kids pitch in as needed in other ways like dusting, sweeping, cleaning out the car or cooking when I ask them to.
All three kids also have sizable homework-time commitments. They read for pleasure, and would weep for joy should we count it as a chore. (Come to think of it, maybe we should re-label reading as a chore – I would get more housework done myself if it were so!)
We don’t pay allowances by the way. That’s the other side of the chore coin (forgive me; had to pun!)My partner and I took parenting classes that taught that chores could be seen as “contributions” and that’s how we have tried to raise the children. School is their “work” and that comes first, then helping the family.
In general they handle it really well. I don’t mind reminding them if they forget – but I will not tolerate grumbling.
And we started them on contributing to the family as soon as possible; like two or something. Seriously, at 18 months my stepson got to clear the table (my partner majorly re-arranged the refrigerator to facilitate this, and our silverware drawer is absurdly low.)
And I have never cared for made-beds, except to make guests feel comfortable, so that one’s a non-issue in my home.
Comment by aazmom — July 15, 2007 @ 9:14 pm
My kids are 3 and 19 months and they “do chores” because at these ages they think it’s FUN. My 19 month old is always ready to “help” me unload the dishwasher. They both insist on wiping off the kitchen table with paper towels after I spray some diluted Lysol on it (I supervise so no one puts their hand in their mouths). And I can’t tell you the joy they express when I change the bed sheets. Nothing is better than jumping on the beds while mommy changes the sheets. OK, that might not count as a chore, but it gets done every time, so it might as well be a chore.
Also, my 3 yr old feels personally responsible for removing the lint from the lint collector screen in the dryer. He’s a good boy.
Comment by CathyC — July 16, 2007 @ 8:06 am
My kids (5 total, ages 10, 7, 4, 22 months, 8 months) have a daily chore list that includes taking down and sorting laundry, picking up in the living room, etc., picking up their rooms, feeding pets, scooping litter, cleaning doggie ‘presents’ outside, empty the garbages, help on trash day, bring in empty garbage cans, put away their laundry, make beds, sweep, wash floors, and vacuum the stairs. For ‘extra’ money, they can fold laundry (but I’m so anal about how it’s folded they shy away from that one!). My almost 2 year old takes her plate into the kitchen after meals and throws out her garbage and loves to help pick up little things and throw them away. My kids do get paid for their chores, but if anything is left undone by the end of the day, they have to pay mom to do it. We’re trying to teach them that being in a large family is a blessing, but there’s also responsibilities helping with housework. They’re learning not to complain – but they are kids! I can relate to the whole ’supervision’ issue Chris mentioned – if I don’t keep an eye on things, that’s when everything falls apart. Fortunately my kids are avid readers, so it’s never an issue to get them to read and homework has never been a chore – they have to get it done and done to the best of their abilities because that is their ‘job’ – just like my husband and I have to do our jobs our very best!
Comment by Christie — July 17, 2007 @ 11:00 am
On Live with Regis & Kelly this morning, Regis asked Kelly if her children had to do any chores. Kelly’s 10 year old son Michael has begun sleeping on top of his made bed with a bath towel covering him – this saves him “so much time” in the morning. It reminded me of your son who sleeps fully dressed.
Comment by Kathy from NJ — July 17, 2007 @ 3:40 pm
Read a book???!!! That’s a chore? Oh no. I sure hope not. For my daughter reading is a fun, happily anticipated activity that she’s excited about. I hope it never becomes a chore for her.
My three year-old helps me straighten up and put away her toys and books. That’s really her only responsibility. She sometimes helps me with folding laundry, or taking things out of the dryer (or putting things in the dryer), and she likes to close and turn on the dishwasher. She will help me water the plants sometimes and wipe the countertops. These are usually just things she likes to do to help, I don’t really require them of her yet. She needs lots of direction in each task, so something easy she can do to help gives her confidence.
Comment by wesleyjeanne — July 17, 2007 @ 9:34 pm
No, neither reading nor homework are chores around here and neither is practicing an instrument. They love this stuff. Our chores are: helping fold and put away laundry, running the vacuum, making and cleaning up after lunch, emptying the waste baskets, refilling the loos with toilet paper, setting the table for mealtimes and helping to clear it afterwards. This in addition to the things that they should be doing from the time they can understand simple requests such as putting their own laundry in the hamper and putting toys away when they are done with them. Of course, these chores and the degree to which the child is able to do them varies with their age, as do my expectations. Oddly enough,the 3 y.o. is far better at making sure her laundry lands in the hamper, her coat is hung on its peg and her shoes are put in their box than her older siblings are.
Comment by t in hd — July 19, 2007 @ 8:04 am
My daughter loves to read too, but we included it on her handipoints tasks because she can easily rack up points regularly for this good habit.
She feeds/waters/cleans up after the cat, does laundry, homework, waters outdoor plants, cleans her room, puts away her clothes, and helps with cooking and dishes regularly.
She cleans the toilets(by choice cuz she likes the disposable wand thingy), vacuums (poorly), and cleans her bathroom beautifully once a week.
She has a goal of going to bed on time, but often misses that one!
She’s nine.
Comment by angie — August 14, 2007 @ 9:55 pm
cool thanks
Comment by Anonymous — July 4, 2008 @ 6:53 pm