Chores...types & what age

What chores do you have your kids do and at what age did you start them doing chores? Before the separation, the boys didn't really have any chores but they had to do things like clean their room, help me take out the garbage, clear their dishes from the table, etc. Well, while we stayed at my Dad's house, I made them help around the house...they had to help me clean our bathrooms and they usually liked to do it (strange, I know! LOL). Anyway, I've told Ant that when we move into this new apt, the boys are going to have chores that they HAVE to do...one of which is to clean their bathroom. So, I'm wondering what kind of chores do your kids have to do and at what age did you start them on it? The boys love to help around the house, like with cooking (that's mostly Isiah) and they will make a pot of coffee for my Mom in the morning...I don't even know how to make coffee! LOL They've become very independent and always want to do things for themselves.

 

Well, before my DH deployed this last time my boys had "unofficial" chores - like cleaning their room, etc. But that has changed, effective June 16th.

My boys will be 6 in October. I put together a chore chart for each day of the week, and my boys are given $.10 - $.25 per chore if they do it without complaining. When they have earned enough, we go to the dollar store.

My boys have certain chores that are done daily and some that are done weekly.

Here is THEIR chart - Mine is much larger:

Daily Chores
empty small trashcans in each bedroom (boys alternate days)
feed dogs and give dogs water (boys alternate days)
pick up dog poop with my supervision (the boy that is not feeding does this)
pick up playroom and bedroom at end of day (boys alternate rooms)
help set and clear dinner table (boys do together)

Monday
boys help dust their room and the living room

Tuesday
water flowers - Jaydon
boys help wipe down their bathroom (I do the toilet, shower, mirror)

Wednesday
boys help fold and put away laundry (they are good at folding towels and washcloths)

Thursday
boys help wipe down my master bathroom (I do the toilet, shower, mirror)

Friday
water flowers - Jackson

Saturday
free day

Sunday
boys help mommy bring in groceries and put them away

This schedule has been a lifesaver for me. I do not get overwhelmed with all that has to be done, and they are learning the value of responsibility and being rewarded. I do not go behind my children and "redo" what they have missed. I have also learned that "their best" is good enough for me.

 

Ok, cool...those chores are basically the kinds of things that I was thinking of having them do. My motto is (& they can tell you this too) "Mommy is not a waitress or a maid, and this is NOT Burger King, you can't have it your way!" They already clear their plates from the table and they do help around the house a little bit but being here at my Mom's, they've gotten out of their routine so once we're in the apt, I'll be trying to get us all back on a routine.

 

With my singleton (and imagine Iw ill do the same thing with my little ones) every year she gains a chore and a privilege that was appropriate for her age range. Privileges like, getting to pick out pajamas, starting an allowance, getting to stay up in her room for 30 mins before turning out the light for bed. Chores have been like always being in charge of feeding cats, setting the table for supper, clearing table and now at 7 she will be helping fold everyones laundry and putting her own away.

We never associate the allowance with doing chores. She does chores and other things because she is part of the family and she should be helping.