I'm a single father. I work and then become mom and dad after 4. I do everything at home but the other day someone asked me what chores I get her to do ( like before I let her watch cartoons or whatever). Got me thinking. What should I get her to do? she can't sweep - too small. She already puts her toys away in a big basket. Any ideas?
2006-09-13 16:24:07 · 33 answers · asked by VIP 4 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
Do the world a favor shlongy - don't have kids
2006-09-13 16:30:17 · update #1
Great response - excellent ideas. Thank you people... Best answer will be difficult to choose
2006-09-13 16:41:42 · update #2
Yes, 4 year olds are sooooooooo great at helping, honestly. My daughter loved to sort laundry. It made her feel so big to sort whites, lights and darks.... and it is something she could do and accomplish with pride.
She liked to use the feather duster on the tables.... grant it... you have to do the Pledge part but again.... it's something they feel good about because they can do it.
Then I gave her what I call busy work..... again to boost her confidence in being able to do things like...... if I was vacuuming the van...... she would use baby wipes and wipe of the dashboard and door panels. While making the beds.... she was the OFFICIAL pillow fluffer! She always helped with dinner like.... helping tear the lettuce for the salad, measuring ingredients for certain recipes.
There are so many things that your daughter can easily do and will (at this point) love to do..... just because SHE CAN and it doesn't hurt that when she accomplishes each task........ Daddy looks at her like she just gave him a million dollars! Praise is a great esteem builder.
AND
never forget..... no matter how old your daughter gets.... she will NEVER love anyone more than she loves her Daddy! Believe me!
I commend you for doing this yourself. YOU are truly the definition of a MAN!
2006-09-13 16:39:25 · answer #1 · answered by rolahey 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
At 4 she should be able to clean up toys - put shoes away - make bed ( not real good but pulling blankets up )- take her dishes to sink-
dust- empty dryer with your help just little things make it fun for her not work and only if she wants to dont MAKE them do alot after all she is just a child at 8 or 9 years old thats when you have to make them help but no more than 4 or 5 daily chores, like feeding the dog taking out the trash,folding and hanging up clothes and so forth.
2006-09-13 16:42:47 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are a lot of things she can do! Besides picking up her toys (a good start), she can "help" with laundry (as in you hand her the wet stuff to put in the dryer), she can lend a hand in the garden watering (or even yes, sweeping - my son was "helping" with a broom outside when he was about 3), she can pick up after herself after her bath, before bed, when she gets up in the morning (make sure her towel's hung - so put a hook where she can reach, put her dirty laundry in a hamper, things like that), you can get her a Swiffer duster and let her go to town on the big (non-breakable) furniture. The list is endless - if you make it fun, it won't be drudgery and she'll learn responsibility and her place in the world.
2006-09-13 16:37:00 · answer #3 · answered by Brutally Honest 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If she puts her toys away then that's enough. After all she's only 4 and sounds like she has a full time job just being daddy's girl and going to day care. If she wants to help no matter the chore let her, but she don't need any hard core chores now.
2006-09-13 16:29:57 · answer #4 · answered by stephenl1950 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A four year old should most definitely have some chores. I think the best ones to start with are the making of their own bed and putting away their own toys. The key though, is not to expect a four year old to do these things to your standard.
2006-09-13 16:49:04 · answer #5 · answered by Chris M 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First I would like to say great job on being both parents,not many men will do that for their kids.At 4 there isn't a lot that kids can do around the house,but pick up after them self,like she already does,She could pull a chair up and help rinse dishes if no dishwasher.Or help load and unload dishwasher or help with laundry,But that is about it.Anything else would most likely just give you more work to do.Good luck.
2006-09-13 16:31:27 · answer #6 · answered by mytifine_01 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Number1 is to help keep he rroom clean, and the toys are a smart idea. Start them young, training themto be neat, clean, and hard workers is a great way to raise then into responsible teens.
Get her a small Brom and let her help whenyou are near. Ittrains them to be corinated, and they love it. If you have an outside yard le t her help pick upo leaves or papers ect. Kids can always used the fresh air and sunshine(given the weather is good) and t exercise is great for young bones and minds. On saturaday morning when you wash the car let her help, That i s adreanm job for a kid:).
pay her a small allowence as it encourages her to work and save once she catches on. kids like the idea of earning money to spend. even the very young.
2006-09-13 16:49:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
She is four she should not have any chores. you said that she puts her toys away in a basket I think that is more than enough. You do not want to give her something to do that can harm her like sweeping like you said, too small. Instead of giving her a chore you can ask her to keep her room clean instead of having her clean the room... Good Luck and remember she is Only 4 (a baby)
2006-09-13 16:34:43 · answer #8 · answered by Madelyn 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Kudos to you dad it sounds like you have a plate full but you still are concerned in raising your child. You have to treat them structure when they are young. I don't mean in a harsh way but make it fun and ask her to help pick up around the house. She can also help you fold the laundry. My daughter always loved to to use the duster around the house to dust the furniture. When cleaning house make it fun make a race out of it. Just for 30min. to and hour every night. After chores are done then you have me time with her like reading a book or playing a game or have snack time after-wards to reward her for the help.
Remember children love to help and learn best by copying and working next to you. So purchase a small size broom, rake, or vacuum.Hope this helps.
2006-09-13 16:34:25 · answer #9 · answered by Just wondering 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At 4 she can make her own bed. put her toys away, place her dirty clothes in the hamper, dry dishes with assistance.
But be careful here, you don't want her doing to much all at one time, gradually build this up for her so it starts to be her own habit. Small kids can soon become to sick of the daily routines if they are made to do it everyday. She needs to learn that she's as much part of the household chores/and up keep as you are.. let it grow on her.. don't push it to far.
2006-09-13 16:27:51 · answer #10 · answered by Jas 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋