Age Appropriate Chores - Lubbock,TX

Hi L.. Great for you to get your kids to help out with chores.

My kids have a rotating wheel where they change chores. It has 4 sections and they must do a chore on M, W, and F. The chores are: empty bathroom trashcans, empty laundry baskets to laundry room, wipe kids bathroom countertop, and sweep under kitchen table. My kids are 9, 8, and 6. They can all do these chores without help. And, since the chore switches, they are not always stuck with the same chore. That way it seems "fair".

Also, I make them clean up their rooms on Friday night, or else they cannot watch any tv on Saturday mornings. My husband would prefer their rooms be more clean all the time, but I think once a week is enough. Plus the cartoon thing is a good motivator.

Hope that helps and good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

Hey L.-
I have 11,10, and 3 year old boys. The 2 older are my step children, but they have chores whenever they're here. All of the boys put their dishes in the sink when finished eating, but I have the older boys rinse theirs as well. They are all in charge of putting their clothes in the hamper whenever they take them off. (I only have them seperatied into light and dark. It took my 3 yr old about a week to grasp the concept of sorting "light" and "dark". He knows his colors, but light and dark was a new concept.) The 3 year old enjoys helping with laundry so I'm happy to have his help. The older boys are in charge of putting their own clothes away after they've been washed. All 3 of them are responsible for cleaning their own room.

There is a website, I believe it is flylady.com, that has wonderful cleaning ideas. All the kids love to mop because of the way they get to do it. They all put on their bathing suits while I trow a bunch of wet towels on the tile. Then they get to slip and slide and pull each other around and have a grand time! They have fun, and my floor is clean! When they're done playing, you scoop it all up and throw it in the washer, towels and swim trunks. If you go to the website, check out camp gonna wanna fly... It's geared toward kids and chores. Timers really make everything more fun, even for Moms!

If you'd like more ideas, I can pass on the way my mom did it. It wasn't as much fun, but it worked and we pulled our weight! :o) Hope this novel helps you out!!!

1 mom found this helpful

My three year old helps empty the dishwasher. He puts all the non-breakable items on the counter and puts the tuberware where he can reach. He also helps with putting the small trash cans trash in the big one on trash nights. Good Luck!

1 mom found this helpful

You have had some great tips and advice sent you..
I also have a good self-sufficiency growth chart that has some good rules of thumb regarding age appropriate "basic chores" and helpful "motivators" from preschoolers to high-schoolers :) But it is kind of long.. I can't figure out how to "attach" it?? If you want it, PM me your email address and I will send it to you!

Also, if you check out my 3/26 Blog - it is titled:
"It's a Family Affair - Ideas on how to include the entire family in helping to get and keep your home more organized...
http://www.simplyorganizedbysandy.blogspot.com/

I hope you find it helpful.

Good luck and remember - try to make it fun, and always PRAISE them for thier efforts (even if they fall a bit short :))

1 mom found this helpful

Your children should certainly not be the only ones doing chores, but there may be many who aren't. My children are now graduate degreed with professional careers. They were required to be responsible from the beginning. By age two, they were required to pick up their own toys. I "helped" them as opposed to them helping me as it was their responsibility. By age 10, they were responsible for taking care of themselves. They had their own alarm clocks, took care of their own clothes, helped with lawn care, dishes, etc. The outcome was good.

Folding laundry or sorting laundry, washing dishes, taking out trash, sweeping, dusting, picking up room, making bed, etc. I always thought that I was the only one doing chores growing up as well. However, my 2 year-old has chores! She feeds the dog every night and helped me dry plastic dishes the other day. Good luck!

I have a 3 and 5 year old. Chores haven't been successful with the 3 year old yet (other than making her clean up after herself)but for my 5 year old, he is in charge of putting away all the folded laundry. We separate it by person, then he takes it to the correct room and puts it in the right drawer. Pushing the laundry basket gives him a little "deep pressure" so it's a good activity for right before bed.

Just remember... you asked: (My kids 15, 10, 8 <boys>, 3 <girl>)

If your kids are complaining about their chores, just tell them their lucky they don't live with me - lol. Seriously though, my KIDS are responsible for 90% of the housework...
My husband is self employed & works about 10 hrs/day. I work PT and homeschool. We take care of our belongings (room/bathroom/laundry & cars) and I cook/make meals every day. Our days are full enough with just that... HOWEVER, we all work together to keep the house clean...

Monday is Kitchen: 15= load dishwasher, sink, sweep, mop, baseboards. 10= unload, trash, counters, cupboards, refrigerator, stove. 8=table, microwave, oven, windows, doors, switches 3: set table, unload silverware, help out

Tuesday: (Bathrooms) 15= sweep, mop, toilet. 10= tub/shower, counters, cabinets 8= mirror, sink, switches, doors

Wednesday (Family room/Patio) 15= vacuum, TV. mow 10= dust, pick up. sweep patio 8= movies, dust, switches. pick up toys/trash 3=pick up

Thursday (formal Living & Dining): 15= vacuum, table. 10= pick-up, windows 8= switches, dust, TV. 3= pick up

Friday (school/stairs/bedrooms): 15= pick up, computers. 10= windows, desks. 8= books, switches, dust

DAILY= 15= dishes/sink, walk dog, make bed, 5 minute clean up in schoolroom
10= unload, trash, make bed, 5 minute clean up Family room
8= feed/water for dog, kitchen table, make bed, 5 minute clean up Formal Living
3= clean room, make bed, set table
The older 2 are responsible for ALL their own laundry (8 will be doing his own in about a year).
All in all, chores take @ 1 hour a day.

I realize that many people think having the kids do all these chores is 'cruel' but these are all skills they will have to learn at some point. I read a book (I think I picked it up from the library - and for the life of me I can't remember the name) where the author brok down household chores by age. If I come across the book again, I'll let you know...

K. R
Mansfield, TX

Hi L.,

I've got three girls (16, 15 & 10). The girls are expected to keep their rooms cleaned & beds made daily. They also take turns cleaning the game room, media room & bathrooms. My 16 year old handles the kitchen (dishes, sweeps, mops, cleans out refrigerator, etc.). My 15 year old is responsible for keeping the common areas cleaned (family room & halls) and she is also responsible for washing the clothes. My 10 year old takes the trash out, folds the clothes and is responsible for vacuming the exercise room. I understand that your kids are much younger than mine, but you can have them keep their rooms and common areas cleaned. Your 11 & 7 year old can help out with dishes and take the trash out and your 5 year old can help with little things like bringing the laundry downstairs or even help folding it. My girls have been doing chores since around 5. Funny thing is.. my youngest doesn't have a problem cleaning any room in the house, except her bedroom. That child throws a fit everytime. I hear complaints like (so and so messed it up, I need help, it's not fair) but stick with it. My girls are very responsible and they have a sense of pride when they hear complaments like: girl, this room is sharp, what a great job.

I was doing all grown up chores by the time I was 8. (vacumm, mop, dishes, laundry, washing mirrors...)

My 3 year old helps pick up toys, helps sort laundry (until he starts throwing clothes!), helps me load/unload washing machine/dryer, helps unload his dishes from the dishwasher, clears the table, put his dishes in the sink and trash in the trashcan, helps me push the vacuum, helps wash windows and countertops (he loves to get a rag/paper towel and wipe off the spray... he begs to do it!) He loves to help... and sometimes he makes bigger messes and it is easier to not let him help, but he is learning and enjoys doing it.

Each of my children (3, 5, 11, 13) are responsible for making their own bed in the morning. The older 3 need to look like I made them. The little one has to pull his blanket up and put his pillow on the bed.

Each child does toy pickup before bed. I prefer that they put up the toys - but they have their own basket, and their toy needs to be in their baskets - their baskets need to be in their place in the room.

Dirty clothes go in the bathroom, and we clean the bathroom each day. My little one does clothes sweep, my 5 year old cleans the toilet (he loves this job - don't know why), 11 year old and 13 year old take turns on the sink (putting up stuff) and the tub (wipe out, put up shampoo and stuff). I clean the floor.

My 5 year old loads the dishwasher with me and his little brother helping. My 11 year old unloads it by herself.

Each kid puts up their socks and underwear, my 11 year old usually helps me with the laundry (stain stick, fold), my 5 + helps hang them up, and the 3 year old tries. I do the floors - or my husband does. The 3 year old wipes fingerprints from walls...

They do what they're told.

S.

I can send you our list...it works. They check it off as they go...don't do your list, no games, etc. (boys). Pretty much since age 3 they have done their own dishes, they now take out trash, recycle, compost, one does laundry, one does the dishwasher, cat pan, dog poo scoop, make bed, clean bathrooms, wash sheets, keep room clean, (wow, sounds like a lot, hu?)...extra stuff may include dusting and vacuuming...gee, what do I do?! Also on the list...so I don't have to ask is stuff like, take out papers for parents to sign, need anything from school (to hopefully avoid the last minute poster board run), feed/water pets, etc. They have a calendar too they write school due dates on, library book due dates, and that is where on the 1st Sat are sheet washing, 2nd is cat pan, etc. Good luck! Mine are 13/14 now and they talk about how some kids even do more than them and they are happy b/c it helped them learn and be responsible...

You have gotten good advice on what type of chores to give your kids. When my son was about 18 months he would go to a childare center while I worked. At a certain at teh center all the toys would be picked up and a child could play with the toys until mom/dad picked them up with the understanding that all toys must be put up. I continued that at home before bed all toys put up. As he got older more chores were added. One day while overseas, I did 14 loads of laundry including play clothes. He went out and came back full of mud. Dad informed him (11) that he would go downstairs and wash his clothes because it was not fair to me to rewash them at 8 pm. From then on, he was responsible for washing his own clothes and this included football uniforms and shoes from practice and games (he now has a home and is single and does all the chores). My daughter started doing chores around 5 years small ones cleaning up bedroom and such. By 10 she too was washing her own clothes. Now she is out on her own and can take care of a home. Also when the children are around 11 or so they can start helping prepare dinner for you. They can cook the veggies in the mircowave or put them on the stove, prepare a salad and set the table. It does takes everyone in the household to make it run smoothly. Oh, my favorite thing was when son informed me at 8pm that cookies were due the next day for a bake sale guess who made them? No me he did and they were very good. Just glean from all of your responses and come up with your own list and put it in place. The other S.

Both my girls do chores as well (6 and 2), age appropriate of course. I won't get into listing them all because you've gotten some great lists already but I will say that with my 6 year old, giving her some choices makes a big difference. "You can unload the dishwasher or mop the floor" type choices so she feels she has some control. Other things, like putting away her clothes, are just a given. I just look for opportunities with my 2 year old and usually have to stand over her, but it is worth the results! Good luck!

My 8yo cleans her room, makes her bed, and once a week she helps cook. My 5 yo cleans her room, makes her bed, and once a week helps cook. My 4yo( same room as the 5 yo) makes her bed, helps clean her room , and once a week helps dad wash dogs(she loves animals cooking not so much) My 2 yo helps clean her room, Helps make her bed,and helps feed ALL the animals (dogs, doves, macaw, chickens, goats) My 1 yo helps clean up where he plays. As he can do more he will do more. The 8 5 4 are all only home for weekends right now. WHEN they come come more they will also have more chores. like dishes and vacumeing maybe even mopping not suure they are all hyper and i don't want things broke. I hope that this helps

I've been reading the responses and I'm glad I'm not the only one who gives my kids chores! I have two daughters - ages 2.5 and 4.5. They both put their dirty clothes in the dirty clothes basket, put their dirty dishes on the counter by the sink, put recyclables in the recycling bucket, clean up their play areas, carry their school bags into the house from the car, etc.

Recently we made a game out of dusting...I put some of their old socks on their hands, put furniture polish on them, and they used their hands to wipe down the furniture. They loved it and asked to do it again the next day! Not one to disappoint them, I let them dust the baseboards since they'd already done the furniture. LOL!

Children are very capable of responsibility if we let them have it. I'm all for it, age appropriate of course. Good luck!!

L.

p.s. I forgot to mention -- when my kids are distracted and stop picking up their play areas to focus on other things, I turn off the TV and set a timer (for 5 or 10 minutes, whatever the mess calls for). Then I tell them if the timer goes off before they're done, they lose a bedtime story, or lose bubbles in their next bath, or whatever "privilege" that will have them picking up the room more quickly! It almost always works...

I have two children: 18yrs and 5 yrs. They both do chores.

5 Yr old: Make her bed(daily), clean her room(daily),Put away her clothes when I do laundry, Set the table for dinner, clear her dishes from the table after dinner, gather eggs (we have three chickens)

18 yr old (also has a job outside the home): Cleans their bathroom (every Saturday), Loads and unloads the dishwasher, gathers trash every morning, takes trash to curb and brings cans back into garage,Sweeps kitchen (breakfast and dinner),makes his bed,keeps his room clean. He has also been doing his own laundry since he was 11 yrs old. It made him sooo much more careful with his clothes when HE had to clean them.

D.
SAHM of two:18 and 5. Home baker and candy maker. Married to the same wonderful man for almost 12 years.

Well, they can rest assured they are NOT the only kids with chores! My three year old has to clear his place at the table and bring his dishes to the kitchen counter, wipe down the table (which usually gets re-wiped after he goes to bed :)). And he feeds the dog. There are days he complains and says he isn't gong to do his chores. We have just told him that part of being a family is helping out and then we point out some of the chore mommy and daddy do around the house. In our house, chores aren't an option. These are his daily required chores, but he does help in other ways. He puts up his and his baby sister's laundry that go in the drawers, helps pick up toys and often helps when I clean the bathrooms (but in all fairness I think he likes doing these stuff because he is three and they make him feel like a big kid).. Good luck!

First of all you are doing your kids a favor by giving them chores! They will grow up to be competent adults who know how a household runs. It is our job as parents teach them these things. My neighbor doesn't have her boys do anything and does all the work herself and she is always tired and bitter. I can pictures these boys when they're 20 or even 30, single, living in a mess. Ugh!

My kids are 11 and 14. For years they have each had a bathroom to clean. They started cleaning sinks when they were six. Trust me: having a boy clean toilets will make him appreciate the need to aim! My daughter started doing laundry at 11. My son will learn this summer. They empty the dishwasher together as a team, and even though they sometimes argue while they're doing it, I think they will learn to work with someone they don't necessarily like, which is how it is in the real world anyway! They take out the recyclables, scoop the cat box and vaccuum their rooms. They also help in the yard.

On the weekends I make them lists and put it on the TV. They know that they can't watch TV until the list is done. Sometimes they race to see who can finish their list the fastest. It's a good thing.

L.,

My 2.5 year old already has a chore...feeding the dogs (we don't call it a chore to her, but that is her job every morning and night.) As long as you aren't making them do things that they can't physically do and they still have time to do "kid" stuff, then they should have some chores. Good luck.

L.,

My kids are 11 and 13 now, but they have always done chores. They didn't have THIS many when they were your kids ages, but they still did things to help out!

1. Vacuum their living area
2. Put dishes away
3. Wipe off bathroom sink daily
4. Clean off couch
5. Make ice
6. Keep their rooms picked up
7. Put their clothes in darks / whites / colors dirty clothes basket
8. Feed and water dogs
9. Get clothes from dryer and take them to my bedroom
10. Put their laundry away (and fold it)
11. Pick up dog poo one time per week
12. On cleaning day (once per week):
vacuum, mop entire house, dust and clean glass stuff in their living area, clean the second bathroom / laundry room, dust and clean their rooms...

I know it sounds like a lot, but they live here too! Why should I maid around after them all the time?! They also have been making their own breakfast and lunch since they were about 5 (with supervision when they were that little) and they voluntarily help out with cooking supper.

Oddly enough, when their friends come over, they say this is the only place where they can be a kid... AND they help my kids with their chores!!! (By choice, I don't make them)

It is all about respecting each other, honesty, and love.

EDIT: Reading some other mom's stuff, it reminded me...

My kids also:
* have their shopping list (which is half of mine) when we go grocery shopping. they know how to check for the lowest price per ounce to get the best deal.

* put away the "dry" goods when we get home (I get the fridge and freezer stuff)

* takes out trash / recycling

* always put their dirty dishes in dishwasher

yadda, yadda, yadda. It is a real joint effort around here!

I have a 14 year old, since he was 11 took the trash out of the house to the curb, along with recycling bins. At the end of day picked up bins and put them in the garage.

My 10 year old, since she was 7 gathered all the trash cans from the house and put them in the big trash can. Also folds towels, they are not perfect but it works.

They are each responsible for cleaning their rooms, including vaccuming and dusting. It's not always perfect, but its good enough for me.

Good Luck!

Hi L.. I too have 3 children (all girls) ages 13, 11, and 8. They have been doing things/chores since a young age.

My 8 year old: fixes her breakfast, puts dishes in the sink or dishwasher (depends on if its her week), puts toys away, gets her own snacks, helps put laundry away, and helps put the groceries away.

My 11 year old: does the above and cleans her bathroom, vacuums, dusts. she does help fix dinner once a week.

My 13 year old: does the above and helps with grocery shopping. she also prepares a meal for the family once a week, usually this is pretty simple like a Schwan's dinner, or simply putting something in the oven and being responsible to take it out when it is done. she sets the table, sweeps the floor/vacuums, dusts and baby-sits. she also helps make the grocery list.

They all three make sure their beds are made every morning, and get their trash picked up and brought out to the trash can.
It sounds like a lot, I know, but break it down into little things and it goes a lot smoother. We actually have trash races to see who can get their trash out to the garbage the fastest...the winner picks the fruit for dinner. LOL.

Good luck,
A.

Well, all of the kids are expected to keep their rooms picked up, the play area in decent condition (it often takes a reminder before bedtime or before we leave the house), and put their dishes in the dishwasher. But we made the other 'more difficult' chores a commpetition and tied to allowance. For example, we gave each child a chance to wipe the table off after dinner for a week. If they forgot one night, they lost their chance and another child was offered the job. Surprisingly, the youngest of the older children succeeded and earns 1.00 per week if he does not forget and has to do a consistently good job. If he 'falls down on the job', another child will get a chance, again. It's really worked out well.

*this may sound harsh, but if any of the kids leave their toys in the common living areas after I've instructed them to pick up, the toy will either be confiscated (if expensive) or thrown away (if cheap trinket, etc). It's been pretty effective at gaining compliance. With 4 kids, it's hard to keep the house from looking like a swap meet.

L.,

These are a few things that I implemented in my home several years ago. First I told my children (4---ages 15, 12, 10, 7) that these are responsibilities not chores. Everyday, each child is responsible for making their own bed (a.m.) and insuring that there room is picked up (p.m.). Dishes...each child is assigned a week that they are responsible for putting dishes away (oldest 1st week of the month and so on, when there is a 5th week in the month, my husband and I do it), my youngest has done this since she was 5. Clothes, each child is responsible for getting their clothes to the laundry room on the days that I do laundry, usually Monday/Friday they also put their own clothes away. I have the younger two help with trash, feeding animals and any miscellaneous age appropriate responsibilites. Older ones help wipe down bathroom counters and vacuum their rooms. Hope this helps.

I do believe everyone should help out around the house. Mine were almost forced into it, unfortunately. I was diagnosed with cancer 1 1/2 years ago and my husband worked funny hours. There were times when I was not able to even make them dinner. Anyway, that proved to me what they are capable of doing. I have an 11 yr girl, 8 yr girl, and 7 yr boy. My 11 yr old knows how to wash and dry clothes. They all fold their own clothes and put them away. I think that is the only chore specific to her. The other two aren't tall enough to get clothes out of the washing machine without falling in. My son has done dishes before, but we had to put that to a stop because he broke a few. They all clean their own rooms, take out the trash, clean bathrooms, vacuum, dust. I am a little wary about using the cleaning supplies in the bathroom. I haven't let them clean the bathtub or the outside of the toilet and sink yet. They have scrubed the inside of the toilet with the brush.

I hope this helps.
S.