I need help on some age appropriate chores for my kids.?

Question

I have 3 kids. 2 girls age 12 and 7.One boy age 10. They all have chores, but my 12 year old complains all the time, that she has to much to do. I do more than everyone else. We are the only kids that have chores. My 12 year old has to do the dishes, keep her things picked up, and her room to be cleaned. But she wants her little sister to put up the silverware, and her brother to rinse the dishes and sweep the floor. So, I would like to know what chores my kids should be response for.

Answer 1

I think whatever it is that you had planned for them is probably fine. Your 12 year old is behaving like a normal, whiny 12 year old. It's good that you're teaching her responsibility now, she'll get out of the whiny stage earlier.

Answer 2

A 12 yr old is almost a teenager and should be responsible enough to keep her room clean . Doing the dishes is a very simple and fast chore to complete. A little girl the age of 2 should not be putting away dishes The boy should be the one helping her by putting away the dishes. A good chore for the 2 year old is to just to ick up toys after a play time

Answer 3

How about letting the 10 year old do the dishes (wash rinse dry and put away) and the 7 year old to set the table and clear the table along with the sweeping the floor.... OH did you think I forgot about the 12 year old? Okay her chores might be something like this

She gets to take out the trash, cut the yard and sweep after the cutting.... and she gets the pleasure of keeping the bathroom clean (which ever bathroom they use if there is more than one in the house).....

They should all be responsible for keeping the rooms cleaned and things picked up.... and they should have to put away their own clothes....

My daughter is only two and she picks up her toys and puts things away in her room (within reason of course) and she is really good about keeping her room clean. She already wants to help clear the table, so I let her take her plate and put it in the dishwasher and once everything is loaded she puts the tablets in and closes the door on it and then starts the dishwasher... Lol

She tries so hard on her own, I don't have to encourage her to do her "chores", lol

good luck on finding a fair way to divide the chores among the kiddos!

Answer 4

All of them should be responsible for cleaning they're rooms. They should alternate days that someone cleans up and sweeps the floors this day while on the same day the other two child do the dishes. And then it switches.....They all should have an assigned chore to do each day....with a check list and time frame to do them by. That is how my mom did things with my brother sister and I. That is how my brother manages his four children. It seems to have worked for all of us. Give it a try. This way not just one feels that they are doing everything, but that then everyone gets a turns at something different. And try to even things out between them. It will be a nice house cleaning learning experience for them all. So when they are older....they will know dishes and cleaning is done everyday...not just once in awhile. Good Luck!

Answer 5

First, it doesn't sound to me like Saffronangel has any kids. Once you've picked up after kids, a husband, and a pet for so many years, you have to teach them how to do it and finally have a break for yourself. Not to mention it's only right that if they're big enough to use the items, then they're old enough to clean them up, or at least help. My kids are 3 and 5 and they help clean their own rooms, pick up any messes they make anywhere else in the house (including mess from meals, coloring, toys in the living room, etc.). They don't always like it, but they know that if I have to pick them up every time with no help, then they will no longer have them to play with. I'll store them in the attic until they're ready to help pick up. I think a 12 year old girl should be responsible for the dishes. I was going them younger than that. The 10 year old boy should be getting all the trash from around the house and taking it out. And the 7 year old girl needs to clear the table after dinner and help her sister put away small dishes. They should all be cleaning their own rooms with no help by now. That leaves you with laundry, vacuuming, mopping, bathrooms, etc. It may not seem like they're doing much, but it helps a lot when you don't have to worry about the little things.

Answer 6

Kitchen duties are hated by most everyone including our kids. Just so long as they are all responsible for their rooms and their stuff. Making chores even across the board is a good idea. Who clears the table? who sweeps and mops the floor? who does the dishes? who puts away the dishes? One can wash and another dry, while the other can sweep n mop. Make sure to alternate these chores so no one gets stuck with the same chore, that would be a fair solution. Alternate weekly.

Answer 7

Your 7 year old is not really ready for any chores yet but she can start with her room and keeping the room that is less messy for her make that be one room. Both your 10 and 12 year-old kids should help each other to clean at least 2 rooms in their house that isn't theirs(bathroom, kitchen, living room). Let your children understand that basic chores are good to know for the future when there off to college or if unfortunately they have to clean their own houses. This will also help them appreciate hard work.

Answer 8

They can do a lot more than dishes. They, including the 7 year old, can put away some of the laundry. The 12 year old can at least fold towels and shirts. They can take out the garbage, dust, vacuum, wash windows, dishes. Have everyone involved with the dishes. One can wash, the other dry and the 7 year old can put them away or have the 7 year old dry. If she can't reach then get a chair. Make it fun for them and have them listen to music while they clean. Have a family meeting and try to decide what chores would be fair for everyone and get everyones imput. That way your daughter feels that she is being heard and that she isn't swamped with everything because of her being the oldest.

Answer 9

My 11 year old does the dishes, takes out the trash, and keeps her room clean. She complains also, but so did I when I was that age. I think it's good for them to have responsibilities, and to understand what it takes to keep a household clean and running!
I would say for the 7 year old to take clean clothes to their respective rooms to be put away by the others, or gather dirty dishes and bring them down to the kitchen, or something else simple like taking clothes out of the dryer.
The 10 & 12 year olds should be fine doing dishes, sweeping, vaccuming, taking trash out, etc. Of course, not ALL the chores, but one or two of them.

Answer 10

My two brothers, my sister and I had our chores to do when we were younger, and it never hurt any of us one bit.
We each had our bedrooms to clean, And we had a room other than that to clean.
My oldest brother was resposible for the kitchen, my other brother the dining room, my sister the living room, and me, the backroom and the stairways.
We would sweep, mop or vacuum. Then we would switch every four months, so we wouldnt get to tired of the same room all the time.
We would take turns doing the dishes, the two girls one night, and the boys the next. One would wash, the other would rinse, dry and put away.

Answer 11

Do you have pets? You could make the 10 year old responsible for feeding the animals and the 7 year old could keep her room clean. You can't ask for much from the 7 year old....but my kids have chores, too! Let the 12 year old know that she is not the only one with chores.