Chores what is appropriate?

Question

My husband and I were talking about what chores we were going ot give our children in the future. We have a 2 3/4 year old now so of course he does not have them now so this will be an on going conversation. So here is my question. I was thinking that that a few chores for him besides the normal keep your room clean and taking out the garbage would be like make sure that all of the toilet paper holders have rolls on them etc. Do you have any different chores that I could suggest and talk to my husband about. I mean different than the normal ones. I was just wondering. If I can atleast get my son to always replace the Toilet paper roll and put the seat down I know that my future daughter in law will love me.

I am so glad I asked this question. I am getting some great advise. This was for sure worth the 5 points.

Answer 1

i think as soon as they can walk you can ask them to carry cutlery over to the table

involve them in meal preparation - counting potatoes and carrots for example

if you have a pet then encourage them to help put the food out for the animal(s)

as they grow in maturity you can bring in more and varied tasks.

my son was getting his own breakfast at age 5 (i did make sure that everything was kept within reach tho!) and at age three I could ask him to feed the dry catfood to the cats.

he is now 7 and also puts his laundery away in his laundary basket without being told too each night.

He does appreciate being part of the household and his part in helping to run it.

always keep it positive and praise him every time he does something to help.

other chores (and it does depend on when you think your child is mature enough and big enough to cope with each)

sorting their own laudary
helping with tidying up THEIR things
helping to tidy up general household things
helping with preparing meals (laying table/ cooking etc)
helping with washing up/clearing away
defrosting freezer (they can get into places that adults find harder)
moping floors
hoovering/vacuuming
cleaning sinks
cleaning toilets
running errands
delivering christmas cards to the neighbours
letter to the postbox
taking responsibility for younger siblings (although under your STRICT SUPERVISION)


ALSO dont forget pocket money and a piggy bank - this will also teach your son how to be responsible around money which will be invaluable later on in life

all the best for the future and i look forward to seeing what a well balanced child you will ahve in a few years time

Answer 2

I am 14. By the time I was 6 I knew how to clean the house and did it on a regular basis. I have never been paid to do chores before, I just do them. I still clean the house on a regular basis for my mom who is often too tired. I'm just saying this so you know that young kids ( not 2 3/4 obviously) can do big chores and it will instill it in them at a young age so you are not having to tell them constantly when they get to be about my age.

Answer 3

One thing to understand about chores, especially when the children are younger, is that the best chores are ones that are done together. For example, painting a child's room. A child should be given a brush and allowed to do a simple task to help out. There are three things being taught here: the value of industry (your child's labor results in a tangible benefit for himself), the value of cooperation (the task gets done through cooperative effort) and the value of loving bonds (families do things together, not just that they get done but for the sheer joy of doing things together). Done correctly, chores are not a burden. Watch your child as he or she naturally mimics what mommy and daddy do. They want to be a part. It's an important part of being a family.

Look for chores that fit this pattern.

Answer 4

Your young child is more then capable of doing 'chores' at 2 3/4 years. He can help clean his toys up, help mommy dust the living room (obviously not spraying the endust, but wiping). He can help his father in the yard, even now. Helping rake and pickup leaves. But my son at 11 years old is taking out the garbage, putting the dishes away, cleaning his room and cleaning the bathroom. (He doesn't do yard work because we live in an apartment, there is no yard). The list is endless. Children are much more capable of doing things then we believe they are. Have faith that you are capable of teaching him and he will have faith that he is capable of doing.

Answer 5

vacuum, taking care of pets, dust, dishes, sweep, anything. my kids are 6 1/2, 5, 2 1/2, and 1. the older ones have chores. they have to take out the trash, keep there room clean (make bed), take care of the cat, and vacuum. the 2 1/2 yr old only has to help pick up the room, and occasionally helps feed the cat.

Answer 6

In my house we alternated every other day between me and my sister. One of us would have to do the laundry which included folding, putting a load in the dryer, and starting a new load. The other one had to clean the kitchen which included the after school and dinner dishes, sweep/mop, and wipe the counters and appliances off. We got allowance every week for it too. As we got older we had to start vacuuming 2times a week or clean up the living room. We alternated those by the week though instead of by the day.

Answer 7

My kids have been cleaning since they were old enough to walk. They asked to help mommy. So I invented what I call the color game. We clean their room together. I choose a color and we have to pick up everything in that color and put it in it's proper place. The room gets cleaned quickly and it helped them learn their colors earlier:) My youngest is now 9 and still ask me to play it with him once in a while..just because it makes it seem more like fun than a chore.

Answer 8

at 2 and 3/4, you don't want to overload him with responsibility. keeping his room clean, filling the cat food, replacing a toilet paper roll should be enough...maybe he can assist with setting the table once in awhile or helping with the dishes. let him be a kid. he will learn responsibility as he gets older. let him assist you with easy chores and see how he responds.

Answer 9

i think that is a good idea. some of my male-friends' parents dont make them do anything and even in class if they spill something they like dont know how to clean it up. i think it would also be a good idea to have him help you sometimes too like setting and clearing the table and doing the dishes too. chores make kids more responsible in their future (even though i never do mine ^.^)

Answer 10

not exactly chores on a regular basis, but how bout just helping out once in a while? or taking a little part in big activities.