Chores: Let's talk about slave labor

When I was younger, I was thoroughly convinced my parents had children so they didn't have to take out the garbage, feed the dog, fold the laundry, set the table & mow the lawn. We were given $2 per week & had money deducted it we fought with someone. Sometimes it was worth losing a nickel to punch a sister.
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So here's the question:

At what age will you REGULARLY introduce chores?

What chores will you start with?

Message edited 3/3/2007 9:38:12 PM.

Re: Chores: Let's talk about slave labor

I am thinking that the first "chore" Emily will have would be to clean up her toys --- and to brush her teeth. I guess brushing her teeth isn't really a chore but if it turns into a hastle I'll probably set up some sort of reward system for her --- it's the teacher in me!

Right now she loves brushing her teeth and loves UN-cleaning her toys, so I don't think she's ready for either on her own!

Re: Chores: Let's talk about slave labor

I didn't have any chores.

Re: Chores: Let's talk about slave labor

I will probably start around 4-5 years of age with Julia, thats when they can start to understand more.

I will probably start by her keeping her room clean, cleaning up her toys, help me set the table, little things.

Re: Chores: Let's talk about slave labor

I had a lot thrust on to me at a very young age. I was one of 6 and my mom went back to work when I was 13 and my youngest sister was 2. Basically I cared for my two younger sisters, cooked, did laundry, cleaned, etc. I was like Suzi Homemaker.

So, I am not sure when I will institute chores with Andrew and Lauren. Andrew already loves to dust with a swiffer cloth, so I let him I will make them clean up after themselves, help put away laundry if they can, etc. And not so much a chore in a sense, but I want them to grow up helping me make dinner, setting the table, cleaning up the dishes, etc.

Message edited 3/3/2007 10:04:01 PM.

Re: Chores: Let's talk about slave labor

Im VERY big on EVERYONE chipping in and not so much how I grew up with the women in the kitchen and the men on the couch

Although my dad is VERY much NOT the stereotypical macho Italian dad, but my mom and grandma is/was very much old fashioned and WANTED it that way. (Thus making it harder for my generation! )

Trish, sounds like us, my sister and I were making espresso for a house full of people at like 12yrs old. cleaned up here and there, etc. we wanted to help out and felt happy to be little mommies.lol.

My boys already help me in many ways around the house. We make a game of putting laundry away. They know where most things go in their room: which drawers are for what, etc.

They know what to throw out, what to put in the sink, etc. They know where their shoes go when we get in.

As far as regular chores, Im not sure,maybe kindergarten, something small with rewards/allowance (Which I never got, allowance, what's that?)

I think it's VERY important for them to understand what the word EARN means. Actually I have "life lessons" conversations with them very often in the car: how mommy and daddy have to follow "rules" too (the law, top signs, etc.) and how we EARN money, earn respect, etc. and so EARN was quite a popular word for John Anthony a few weeks ago.
He was like "mommy can I EARN some time on the computer?"


sorry for the tangents. But I dont think it's ever too early to instill discipline such as this into our children.

Message edited 3/3/2007 10:23:42 PM.

Re: Chores: Let's talk about slave labor

That's a good question, I haven't really thought about what age to start that. I already try to practice putting toys away with her, sometimes it goes better than others but I don't expect much yet.
Is 5 too young? I would think you could give simple chores then with a small allowance to go in the piggy bank.

Chores I plan to give up:
cleaning the bathrooms (DH's chore except I do it half the time)
Dusting.

Hate both of those! Almost everything else I can deal with.
I honestly hated chores and it's one of the things I really don't feel benefited me all that much so aside from things like picking up their room, toys, etc. I don't really know how many chores I'll make my children do. I will definitely make them earn things they want though so I guess chores will come in to play then.

Re: Chores: Let's talk about slave labor

She's only a year and she already has to clean up all her toys and throw out all her garbage in the can when she is done. All crayons and flash cards go back in the box.

I am going to introduce her arealy because my sister and I never had to lift a finger and looking back at my mother, it wasn't fair to her at all.

We will do the reward system and have them getthings and money for what they do do...