Chore list

We have been thinking that maybe it is time the kids start having some chores. They will be 6 in March. They do feed the dog, but only when I ask them to. What kind of chores do you suggest and if they get an allowance, how much? Thanks!

 

We have a chore list, but they don't get an allowance for it. We are trying to teach them that to be a part of the family, there are responsibilities that we all need to share. Our twins are 7, but this is what they have to do (we have an alternating schedule with their brother on the list too)

1. Clean up dog poop outside
2. Play with dog outside (for her excercise)
3. Vacuum
4. Help Mom with dinner time (set the table, stir stuff, etc)
5. Take out the garbage

They also have some things they have to do everyday when they get home before they can play. We have a check mark table for that. I painted a section of our wall with chalkboard paint and they get a check everytime they do their job. When they get home from school they have to 1. do homework 2. practice their piano 3. work on their Bible verse of the week (they attend AWANA, where they get badges and stuff based on Bible memorization)

I am really big on teaching the kids to be responsible. In the morning, the only thing I will do for them is make their lunch and give them breakfast. Everything else is up to them. They have "cubbies" where their stuff should always be, so if it isn't there it is because they didn't put it there. I will not spend my morning looking for a missing glove, finding homework, etc.. If they don't have it, than they face the consequences. They have learned quickly how to take care of their things.

Wow, this was probably so much more info than you wanted! Sorry! I got on a roll...

 

Oh, I forgot, on Saturdays they have to help me with cleaning the house before they can play the wii, which is only allowed on weekends. They have to 1. make sure all their toys are in their rooms and not on the main floor 2. Dust 3. Clean bathroom 4. Clean up their rooms 5. Strip their beds

They also have to put their clothes away after I am done folding them...

 

Mine just turned 6. They don't have assigned chores or an allowance. Right now, I feel that going to school is their chore and where I want their focus to be.

They don't get off that easy though. In the summer, they are responsible for making their beds (and on holidays). They are also responsible for stripping their beds when I ask. They are also responsible for making sure the backpacks and coats are where they are supposed to be for the mornings. Other than that, we work on setting out clothes, picking up clothes and toys and in general, just picking up after themselves.

We don't do an allowance. We want them to learn that you pick up after themselves because they are part of the family. When they go above and beyond (like leather cleaning the couches or edge-cleaning the stairs) they do get a dollar for doing extra work. It works for us.

Marissa

 

My three oldest have chores and they do not get an allowance. We also want to teach them that helping is important as a part of our family and that we all have responsibilities to share. One sets the table, one takes out the trash/recycling, one packs up the lunchboxes. They also make their beds each morning and put their dirty clothes in the hamper. Pull out their clothes for school. They have hermit crabs so they rotate cleaning the cage every few days. They have to pick up after themselves-toys, study area, etc. Our youngest doesn't have any assigned chores yet, but she does like to help her brothers with their chores. I think it helps them to feel important. I know I appreciate the help!

 

Mine have always been responsible for picking up after themselves. Some of the major things they help me with around here are:

1. Putting toys away
2. Helping put clothes up/away
3. Putting dishes in the sink, dishwasher
4. Putting dirty laundry in the hamper/baskets
5. Vacuuming
6. Making up their bed

Katie, their little sister even pitches in and helps. She picks up after herself as well.

HTH!

 

what I asked my 6 year olds to do as chores

keep tub clear of their toys/neat in bathroom
empty dishwasher of their cups/plates and put them in their drawer
bring trash out from small bathroom trash bucket
make own bed/help each other make beds
keep own toys neat in living area/play room

 

We just started something new and so far, it is fun and motivating.

I am of the camp that kids should have responsibilities and should not get an allowance for taking care of the basics (i.e., their toys, their clothes, setting the table, etc.). However, they love to do little odd jobs around the house to earn money. And they actually are a big help.

I wrote 40 or so odd jobs on index cards. They are simple tasks, that require little supervision and assistance (i.e., wipe the coffee table off with cleaner, emptying the trash cans in the bedrooms, dusting the bookshelf in the family room, etc.). For every card they complete, the get a quarter. They each have a plastic envelope on the fridge and they keep their cards in there until Friday. Pay day is Friday. They love the novelty of it, and they love the surprise of picking a card from the deck! AND, when an opportunity comes up, I ask them to do a special job and they get to put an extra blank card in their envelope.

On the flip side, they don't HAVE to do these chores. But if they want to earn money to buy things, then they can do as many chores as they would like. Amazing how quickly they grasp the concept!