Toddler moms: have you introduced "chores" to your child yet?

I'm asking this because we have, and my family thinks I'm crazy. It's not that Ava has to clean the bathroom or anything (yet ), but she helps set the table for dinner by putting out all the plates, the napkins, the cups and the forks, and she is responsible for clearing her own plate by throwing anything leftover in the garbage and putting her plate and utensils in the sink. Other than that, we don't really give her anything else to do, but I felt like she was old enough and interested enough to do those things, so they're her job now and make her feel important. Just curious if anyone else has introduced chores yet since my family thinks I'm nuts!

Re: Toddler moms: have you introduced "chores" to your child yet?

Posted by prncss

I'm asking this because we have, and my family thinks I'm crazy. It's not that Ava has to clean the bathroom or anything (yet ), but she helps set the table for dinner by putting out all the plates, the napkins, the cups and the forks, and she is responsible for clearing her own plate by throwing anything leftover in the garbage and putting her plate and utensils in the sink. Other than that, we don't really give her anything else to do, but I felt like she was old enough and interested enough to do those things, so they're her job now and make her feel important. Just curious if anyone else has introduced chores yet since my family thinks I'm nuts!

Re: Toddler moms: have you introduced "chores" to your child yet?

Yes, Roman is in charge of getting the mail and bringing it into the house, bringing his garbage and laundry baskets to me to be emptied and feeding the dog.

Re: Toddler moms: have you introduced "chores" to your child yet?

DS doesn't have any specific chores yet, but I do have him "help" me when I clean up. I ask him to bring me things, throw things in the garbage, he vacuums with his little one while I use the big one, and will put his sippy cups in the sink.

Re: Toddler moms: have you introduced "chores" to your child yet?

They both have to help clean up their toys.

Sarah helps to make her bed - she sets up the pillows and stuffed animals how she likes them.

She brings her plate to the kitchen and tosses out any garbage. Andy will start this soon too.

If they spill food they help me clean it up - mainly holding the dustbuster with me. Liquids I prefer to clean myself since they can be slow about it.

They help with the laundry - putting their clothes in the hamper every night and PJs in the morning. If they want to help when we are doing laundry they help put clothes in the washer and we point out which buttons to push. I let them help me fold stuff like towels, washcloths, sheets, socks.

Re: Toddler moms: have you introduced "chores" to your child yet?

DS helps set the table too! I have him throw away his dirty diaper . He is working on helping me clean up his toys, and he's getting much better (Thanks, Deb...the hand over hand is working!), he has to put his baba in the sink when he's finished as well as his dinner plate and utensils. At my moms house she gives him a rag and helps dust, he wipes the table with the sponge and he sprays the windex He even 'helps' my brother take out the garbage.

He likes to do it now, but when he's old enough and has to do it, he'll complain I'm sure

Re: Toddler moms: have you introduced "chores" to your child yet?

Posted by prncss

I'm asking this because we have, and my family thinks I'm crazy. It's not that Ava has to clean the bathroom or anything (yet ), but she helps set the table for dinner by putting out all the plates, the napkins, the cups and the forks, and she is responsible for clearing her own plate by throwing anything leftover in the garbage and putting her plate and utensils in the sink. Other than that, we don't really give her anything else to do, but I felt like she was old enough and interested enough to do those things, so they're her job now and make her feel important. Just curious if anyone else has introduced chores yet since my family thinks I'm nuts!

Re: Toddler moms: have you introduced "chores" to your child yet?

HEck yeah....I'm like Miss Hannigan!

Seriously, they set the table, swiffer the floor, clean up their clothes, throw away their trash. I think you should start when they are old enough to understand. That way it becomes a way of life and they don't look at you like you are nuts when you out of the blue give them chores at age 10.

Re: Toddler moms: have you introduced "chores" to your child yet?

My 5 year old and 3 year old daughters have chores.

So far, they:
-Put all of their toys away each night
-Put their clothes in the hamper
-Make their own beds (although a bit sloppy)
-Set the table for me

Re: Toddler moms: have you introduced "chores" to your child yet?

I think that is great especially since she showed interest. DS knows that he must clean up his toys after he is done playing. He also throws out his own diaper after I change him and he throws the leftovers from dinner out. I don't force him to throw out stuff, he just showed interest so I made that his "chore".

Re: Toddler moms: have you introduced "chores" to your child yet?

Posted by ddunne2

HEck yeah....I'm like Miss Hannigan!

Seriously, they set the table, swiffer the floor, clean up their clothes, throw away their trash. I think you should start when they are old enough to understand. That way it becomes a way of life and they don't look at you like you are nuts when you out of the blue give them chores at age 10.

Re: Toddler moms: have you introduced "chores" to your child yet?

as of right now....ds only throws away his diaper.
only other thing he does is if he sees me getting the dishwasher ready, he likes to close the door when i put the tablet in, and then gives me his finger for guidance as to which button he needs to push.

Re: Toddler moms: have you introduced "chores" to your child yet?

No not really. He helps me put the dog in the cage when we leave and clean up his toys. That is about it but I don't think I will be giving him any chores anyway.

Re: Toddler moms: have you introduced "chores" to your child yet?

Lily helped us unload the dishwasher tonight.
Normally, I'll ask her to clean something up, and she will, but then she dumps it back out again.

Re: Toddler moms: have you introduced "chores" to your child yet?

DS helps clean up his toys at the end of the day. He also likes to help with the laundry - he is the dryer door monitor so he closes it and opens it for me while I try to put wet clothes into the dryer. He will put his dirty clothing in his hamper. He also helps DH with the trash by bringing the clean bags to DH. He has a broom and loves to play sweep. He also likes to try to take the empty glasses from the den to the kitchen - we both hold them at the same time so they don't break. If he finds a string or tissue on our floors he will pick it up and say trash and hand it to us. DS likes to help. I encourage it. I have not given him strict chores. I think we are a family and everyone does their part to make the family run well together.

Re: Toddler moms: have you introduced "chores" to your child yet?

It is great to have the children help out.
DD has shown lots of interest and helps me do alot - to the point that it slows me down but i have her help me anyway.

She loves to empty the dishwasher with me. She hands me the dishes, glasses etc...and I put them away. She also helps me set the table and clears it when we are finished eating. She helps dress her little sister and gets her shoes, diaper etc... I also have her help me clean up after she is finished playing with her toys (she doesn't always want to do it - but as long as I help her clean up - she will help), she also helps bring the mail inside and opens everything....etc.....I think its terrific and a sign of their growing responsibility.

Re: Toddler moms: have you introduced "chores" to your child yet?

We did about 3 years old - clearing off the dinner table, etc. We're starting to get into more of a routine now so we'll start out with emptying the garbage pails around the house, etc.

I can't wait for the big stuff.

Re: Toddler moms: have you introduced "chores" to your child yet?

I don't think what you're having Ava do is bad at all. And I really don't think of those things as "chores". I see it more as just learing to take care of herself. I think it's great. I have to find something for Marron to do like this. I already have my 5yr old niece setting the table every night and my 11yr old nephew clears it and cleans the table after dinner (plus taking in the garbage pails from the street). Don't really know what's left for Marron besided "hard labor". And I don't think I can manage the stress of having her help me put away laundry or something like that. Maybe I'll have to move the other 2 up and give Marron the dinner-table duty.

Re: Toddler moms: have you introduced "chores" to your child yet?

We don't have chores per se, but if he wants to play with a new toy, he has to put the other toy away. He helps with stuff, but I think a kid who isn't even 3 yet isn't ready for chores. However, the sooner you can teach the kid how to use the washing machine and the dryer, the better!!!

Re: Toddler moms: have you introduced "chores" to your child yet?

absolutely! Its funny because even at 2 Jacob wants to help! He gets very upset if I am cleaning and he isnt He cleans up his toys on his own and "makes" his bed. I want to give him more but he is in the adventurous stage still and goes for the dangerous stuff. When he gets a little older, I will let him clear the table and stuff like that.

Re: Toddler moms: have you introduced "chores" to your child yet?

Not "set" chores but I do ask her to help around the house with me. When I tidy up, she puts away her toys and her clothes, she helps me put the clothes in the washer and dryer, she helps me put away her dishes from the dishwasher, and most nights she puts away her toys before we have dinner.

Re: Toddler moms: have you introduced "chores" to your child yet?

YES!!

he takes trash out with me every night.
gets toys out of the tub.

always helps pick up his toys

puts away his laundry(just brings it to his room)

throws diaper away

puts plate in sink

Re: Toddler moms: have you introduced "chores" to your child yet?

Amanda cleans her own plate off and has been feeding the dog for a long time now. She actually gets upset if we feed the dog without her.

Re: Toddler moms: have you introduced "chores" to your child yet?

I think it's a great idea to give them a small chore to do and most little kids like helping with things anyway, so why not?

I've been trying to introduce DS to the idea of putting his toys back in the bin, but he doesn't get it yet. Eventually...

Re: Toddler moms: have you introduced "chores" to your child yet?

We have DD put her dirty clothes in her hamper. Other than that, we just try to get her to clean up her toys... not always successfully though.