How much responsibility should a 7-year-old have? What chores SHOULD a 7-year-old have?

Question

My 7-year-old son just started the second grade (year round school). I feel that he should clean his own room, make his own bed, pick up after himself and help me with his little sister, who is 16 months old. I ask him to help me pick up after her and sometimes watch her while I'm doing the dishes or other household chore. When he watches her, that usually consists of him and her in his room or the living room watching Blues Clues or listening to music.

What chores should a 7-year-old have that he's not presently doing? Am I asking too much of our son when I ask him to watch his sister (I'm always home and NEVER leave them alone)?

Answer 1

I think that you have it just right with the chores he has. Don't make him watch his little sis too much- if he complains, he shouldn't have to do it and it might make him hateful towards his sister if he continuously has to look after her when he doesn't want to.

Answer 2

Chores For A 7 Year Old

Answer 3

You should never ask a 7 year old to watch a younger sibling, that is irresponsible. It shouldn't matter that you're home or how close you are while he is watching her. The children are YOUR responsibility no one Else's. All he should be doing is helping to pick up his toys, make his bed to the best of his ability, brushing his teeth and maybe help set the dinner table. That should be it. If you cannot do chores and watch your children then either take them in the same room with you and make a game out of doing the dishes, give them some soap bubbles to play with while you're running the dish water, bring music in the kitchen and just be silly while completing your tasks in the kitchen. There are so many things you could be doing together instead of laying them on a small 7 year olds shoulders.

Answer 4

This sounds reasonable. He should have chores even though he is only 7. What you have sounds good, you can't wait until they are 13 or 16 then spring chores on them. My 7 yr old also takes out the bathroom trash and clears his place at the table. During the week my kids keep their rooms tidy but on Sat.,before they get allowance, they have to clean their rooms really well including vacuuming,dusting and stripping the sheets (I remake the bed, and usually end up having to revacuum and dust since they are young...but the point is, they tried and did their best and as they get older it will get better). They also have to make sure their clothes get in the laundry basket and are turned right side out.

Answer 5

I think this is just fine, these are the things that a family does. Doing these things show that he is an integral member of this family, and not a spoiled kid, who has a maid. He can learn early on, what it takes to do these chores, have a home, and responsability. You're teaching him how to fish. As long as it's not excessive, leaves him with NO play time, and things like that. Tell him how much you appreaciate it. Also don't feel bad for him cleaning his room. It's HIS room! If he can't clean it then I suppose he doesn't need it. Don't pay him for it either, it's like congratulating parents who take care of their children. I always thought that was our job as parents, and at least you're considerate enough to think about this. Good job.

Answer 6

It sounds like you're giving him just the right amount. Keeping his room clean is a good first step in learning responsibility. Don't expect him to just do it on his own though. You'll probably have to remind him by saying "It's room cleaning time" or something like that. Other chores such as dishes and taking out the trash should be reserved for when he's tall and strong enough for them.

Answer 7

no his chores are fine just the way they are.....please even most grown ups can´t do the stuff he is doing. :)


If you need extra reinsurance check out the source below if you scroll almost to the bottom it has a chart of what an average kid of a certain age is suppose to have for chores and you can base your own decisions from there.

Here is an exerpt from the site:

Choose the right chores: Choose age appropriate jobs for children based on their physical and mental abilities. Most parents underestimate their children's abilities in this area. Keep in mind that a child who has mastered a complicated computer game can easily run the dishwasher! Preschoolers can handle one or two simple daily jobs. Older children can manage two or three daily jobs along with one or two weekly jobs. (See the suggested list at the end of this article.)

Answer 8

I feel responsibility is a great thing. Tidy his toys, make his bed, do his homework. He should also be rewarded for doing these things even if it is just praise. Although I do not think looking after or watching a baby should be any child's responsibility. Although he should be aware of the things that could be dangerous to the baby as in his small toys etc. Apart from that I believe lots of people leave it too late to make children responsible although the line there is also to be a child and have fun times...balance is the key.

Answer 9

My daughter will be 7 in September. She is responsible for:

Keeping her room clean
making her bed
putting her clean clothes away
making sure her dirty clothes are in the laundry room.

She consistently does things around the house that I don't expect her to do. She will change her sister's pants, wash dishes, load and unload the dishwasher and put all of the dishes away that she can reach - the rest she leaves on the counter for me to put away.

She is a huge help!

Answer 10

Well u are not asking much,but he may think it is mean. One weekend go up to his room and post up a chart that says his name on the top and then yellow stars and red stars. Each yellow star means that he can count on up to get a new toy or object, but each red star means he needs to keep working. Put an envolope next to it on the wall and he can make clippings of toys he wnats, you then choose how many stars it is and so he works up to it. DOnt make him have all chores every day but have him choose a number of chores to gain lets say about 20 stars. Each chore is worth more if it is harder for him. Soon he will find it a game and do it with out a chart. ANy more qs mail me at [e-mail]

Answer 11

make the bed... we do together or i just do it
clean the room ... do it togetehr as you have to teach him how it is done, even if you do most of it and he is just watching you
set the dinner table ... i instruct him what needs to be put out, if he gets sidetracked then i usually let him go...
these are regulars i make a point of doing... but donmt make it boring or a screaming match... kids have to be taught everything...
as you are putting toys away point out how cool some are... make it fun

i ask him to sweep mess up if he has made a ridiculously huge mess

every now and then he helps unload the dishwasher (even just to press the on button), rubbish out, pulling weeds

i must sound loike a slave lol
but no i dont make him do everything but ask for his help sometimes more than anything... it always needs to be fun and not seem like such a chore... they usually dont have great attention spans so keep it short and simple and be prepared to do them with him sometimes instead of telling him off...
i wouldnt make him help tooooo much with the sister apart form playing with her or helping her get toys but not to pick up after her... let him just worry more abou this own stuff