kids and chores? what can I expect from 9 11 12 yr old?

Question

my son is 9 and I have two step daughter(whom we spend more money on like movies and crap it is there age I know) but what can I have them do. right now none of them do crap. who does more seeing how we give the step daughter money all the time to be with there freinds but we only have them half the month. but my son who I dont give money to. Maybe like 10 dollars a week for allowance, give them all 3 chores and then if they do extra give them more money, how do I do all of this?

Answer 1

None of my children get an allowence. The house work is for all family members to do because everyone made the mess. My children know that we have to ALL take care of each other first and formost.
My suggestion is to get rid of allowence all together. Adults don't get paid for cleanign their own house and taking care of their own things. Teach them how to respect their things and each other. If they have time, and you have the extra money, then they can sometimes get a treat, but it has nothing to do with the quality, or quanity of house chores they do.
If they want money to spend as they choose then they need to get a job outside the home. Walking a neighbors dog, mowing the lawn, Shoveling in the winter, raking in the fall, babysitting... etc.
Good luck!

Answer 2

you should develope a schedule for when your step-daughters are there, and one for when they arent. This way, when they are gone, you can offer some extra chores to your son and extra money. And when they are there, then they will have the chance to make some. This way its a win win situtation. Example:
When they are there,
one can vaccum, and dust.
one can clean up kitchen and dishes
one can do the trash and yard
When they are gone,
your son could pick up some of the extra chores, and you and your husband could do the rest. This makes life alot less crazy. I grew up in this same kind of situtation, and this worked for us. The only down-fall, I always had more money then my step brother and step sister, because their mother never gave them money. Thus in the long run, they wanted to be at our house more, so they wouldnt miss out on making money. A good average pay would be 7-10 and then 1 for any extra chore. Good Luck. Hoped it was of some use.

Answer 3

Personally, I do not give out a set allowance (my parents never did). I have a 13 y/o and I have certain expectations of her. She must clean her room, empty the dishwasher, put away clean clothes (for the whole family), and clean the bathroom as necessary. For her work, I pay for all her things and she usually has to wait two weeks to earn a movie night with friends (that alone costs about $20). I find that if I give her an allowance that she tends to waste it on unnecessary stuff.

With children close in age, I would say that you should pay them based on your expectations and tell them ahead of time or you will refuse to pay for their activities. A 9 y/o should be in charge of his room and his school stuff. An 11 and 12 y/o should be doing dishes, taking out the trash, cleaning bathrooms, and doing laundry.

Answer 4

I have an 11 yr old with the same "allergy " to chores. lol Money used to work, but has lost its charm now. Now, she has a book/calender we write in. Every time she does a chore, does extra, doesn't, etc. She and I decide together what the reward and consequences are for these. She usually just wants to go someplace with me or spend time alone with mom or dad.(she has a 21mth old lil bro)So if we go out, she gets to pick out where we eat lunch,go to a movie, or go to dollar store and pick stuff out.(depending on how well she did that week)If she had a bad week where nothing got done, then the consequences are applied. It really helped getting her involved and letting her have some imput on what happens. Good Luck!

Answer 5

nope what you do is give all three an allowance, but make them earn it. like doing the dishes, mowing the lawn,taking out the trash, cleaning the house, doing the laundry,, you see were I'm going with this,, there's not that much difference in there ages so give them all the same amount,, i would go no higher then 20 dollars a week and that's it. they would have to make do with that,, and figure out what they want to spend it on,, what is more important to them,, it will each them how to save money for what they and and they will come to realize that you have to do the same thing to get the stuff they want and need.

Answer 6

Istarted my kids on chores long before that age so good luck! Make a chart of what you think each chore is worth (ie empty dishwasher $1). If they complete the chore they get the money, if they don't, DONT give in. Teaching them resonsibility and having them earn what extras you give them, are very good lessons for them to learn early!

Answer 7

you could for starter giving them all the chores of cleaning their rooms. You could give the older girls the chore of washing their clothes and maybe the dishes. You could give your son the task of taking out the trash,put his toys and things away. you could also make a chore will and let them spin it and If yur 9 year old lands on something he can't do by himself have one of the girls help him for a little extra money or something

Answer 8

The 9 year old can take out the trash and clean his room, if there are pets in the home have him care for them also. The 11 and 12 year old can wash dishes, sweep and mop the floor etc. They should all be responsible for cleaning their rooms. My 12 year old does her own laundry.

Answer 9

Our kids were responsible for cleaning their own rooms at that age.

They took turns with "kitchen" (empty dishwasher, wipe counters, clean microwave) or "bathroom" (scrub bathtub, wipe counters, sweep floor). I did toilet & mopping until they were in high school.

On Saturday morning we do "big cleaning" with vacuuming, dusting living room and sweeping the patio.

All kids started doing their own laundry when they started junior high school.

Allowance was $5/week in elementary school, $10 in junior high and $15 in high school until age 16. That's old enough to get a job and they were expected to.

Answer 10

For my son, who is nine years, I request him to tidy up his study table, connect the vacuum cleaner for me, empty the trash, feed the fishes in the fish tank, assisting me carry the grocery bags. Believe me, alloting these trivial tasks do help a lot.