Chores for 7 Year Old

HI S.,
My son is going to be 6 next month. His chores are: set the table, feed the fish, feed the dog. Let me tell you, the animals would be dead if they ate only when he fed them!
One thing he's recently been doing is putting his clean laundry into the correct drawers in his dresser, etc. Can he help sort laundry? That's another thing my son seems to like doing. Also tossing the clothes into the washer when I'm doing laundry.

Encourage him to do various tasks around the home. BUT, don't expect perfection. Helping you set the table (with the unbreakables), trash collection, and it's soon time to get started with the yard work, even if it is something little like picking up the sticks after wind storms - a small task to you can be a big, important job to a kid.

My son is six and very active. He loves to water plants. I also have him empty trash in the bathrooms, pack his lunch, "clean his bathroom" (which is wiping down the sink with vinegar and water to help with the toothpaste globs), and cleaning his room. He also picks out his clothes for the next day. All of these I have to check or oversee but he is able to do them independently. I had to show him how to do each of these about 4 times except for the trash and the watering of plants. These seemed like "big kid" chores and I was reluctant to let him do them. I think he knew it so now he likes to show me that I was wrong. Kids are more capable than what we give them credit for. Good luck!

S.,

We just set up a chore list for our 7.5-year-old daughter. She dusts the entertainment center, feeds her fish, makes her bed, cleans up her room and straightens out the bench in the hallway where we keep our coats and shoes. Hope that helps!

My kids are 8, 6, and 3. When my son (oldest) was 5 we had the baby and started really asking for his help, things like getting a small towel and bottle when I fed the baby and pick up his toys when the baby got a little older and spent time on the floor. I'm not very strict with chores, but I know my kids can do things. Now my oldest has to set the table after I get the plates for him (they're in a high cupboard) and he gets the silverware himself. My daughter (the 6 yo) helps me unload the dishwasher, placing things she can't reach on the kitchen counter. Even my 3 yo has learned to place his dirty plate or cup in the sink, and it's like pulling teeth but he can pick up his toys. I'm not sure if you're saying that because your son has ADHD he can't do much. He can and should. Start small, what your comfortable with, and go from there. Now my daughter wants to learn to fold laundry, so I teaching her towels and socks to start. My son likes to help cook, so I'm teaching him stirring and sauteing. Anything to help me out!! Again, I'm not an expert on making kids do chores, but I've started explaining to them that if they help me, I can spend more time with them later. I hope I've helped.

Think about all the tings you do each day. He might not be able to set the table, but he can do napkins, get silverware, etc. He may be able to unload silverware from the dishwasher. Laundry is always a good one. Sorting socks and matching them is a game for my girls (just turned 8). They make their beds, clean their room, fold larger things like towels and put their clothes away in their room.

I'd say folding laundry, helping with dusting, vacuuming, etc. My son is nine and he started doing these things a few years ago. He can run the vacuum, sweep and mop (with Swiffer), fold towels and his own clothes, help me dust the things that are not delicate and within reach, put away his own clothes, make his bed, and feed the dog. Your son probably won't do a good job at first, my son still needs to re-do things alot but at least they are helping out and learning that everyone has to pitch in. I've gone back many times and fixed what he started but I try not to let him see me do it so he doesn't get discouraged. I hope this helps.

Hi S.,
I, too,have a son who is 7 with ADHD. We just finished a Behavior Modification Class at A.I. duPont Hospital for Children. Positive feedback is essential for children with ADHD.
My son earns "tickets" for good behavior, chores, etc. that he can "cash in" for things he wants. (I keep a bin of $$ store toys when he needs instant gratification, or he can save up to watch a movie on a school nite, Chuck E. Cheese, Yu-Gi-Oh cards, etc.)
An example, if he does his homework or cleans up without me having to ask repeatedly, he earns tickets. (I'll ask 2 times, if he doesn't comply he will NOT earn a ticket.)
Another "chore" is to read a book to his little sister, or help his little brother with his homework.
He will also earn tickets if I "catch him" being especially nice to his siblings.
I hope this helps.
L.

My 7 y/o does what your son does too. In addition, he could fold washcloths and dish towels,work side by side with you in almost everything (cooking to mopping floors).My 7 y/o takes great pride in being a help to mommy. Then we have time to play games, watch a movie or something else she would like to do.

dusting, sweeping, making beds, helping to take out the trash, washing windows, etc.

My son isn't there yet, but I started clearing the table and washing dishes at 6. My dad built me a little stool so I could get to the sink. Only you know whether he is really not capable of handling dishes yet, but my guess is that he could, with supervision. I am a big believer in chores for kids!

I also have a 7 1/2 year old with ADHD. He's the most willing helper in the world, not so great with execution or staying on task, but the things I have found he can do is.

Pick up toys, clothes, various items and put them where they belong.

Changes the sheets on the bed and make the bed

Wipe off the table after meals

Wipe down the sink, toilet(he's the one who 'misses' the most often) put shampoo bottles, etc away in the bathroom

Dust. He LOVES to dust(And I despise it.) So I got him a little Swiffer Duster and he prances around the house sweeping everything within reach with it. It's not a perfect job, but it's better than what would be done if it were left up to me to dust.

He also, often makes breakfast for himself and his brother(6) and sister(2) on weekend mornings which allows me and my husband another 1/2hr-hour of precious sleep. It's usually just toast with pb and banana, but he loves feeling responsible.

I wish I could let him do something like water houseplants or sweep the floors(I tried sweeping and he knocked a lamp down, and and a vase, and then we decided that we would wait til he was older for sweeping)And watering plants, all of my plants would be dead from over-watering. He's so enthusiastic.