Chores for a six year old?

Question

I'm trying to think of new chores for my six year old to do (or if they are enough). Currently, she has to make her bed (which I think should just be done, and not a 'chore'), setting the table 2 times a week, help make dinner 1 time a week and helping to walk the dog/feed the dog 2 times a week. She also cleans the baseboards as needed. Anyone know any good chores to help with. She does earn allowance (or not if the chores are not done). I'm seeking imput/advice from other parents on what they do with their kiddos. Thanks!

Once again, it's ONCE A WEEK, not every night...and it's getting out the veggies or bread, putting the milk on the table...sh'es not on a footstool over a hot stove!

Answer 1

I think your doing a great job, Mom! I'm glad to see some parents still believe in chores. My four yr. old, sweeps my living room (with a hand held broom), she cleans up her toys, she also sets the dinner table. she likes to help with the dishes, etc. I encourage it now so i don't get resistance later.

http://www.mydreamexplorer.org/mdx/ss/parent/nextsteps/ele_whatcando_more.aspx

Chore list ideas: What follows is a list of ideas from which you can choose a few chores for your child. The idea is not to turn your child into Cinderella! Simply review the list, consider your child’s age, ability, and personality, and select chores appropriate for your child. Preschoolers can handle one or two simple jobs. As children get older and more capable they can handle a larger quantity of jobs, as well as those that are more complex.

Ages 2 to 3: Put toys away, fill pet’s food dish, put clothes in hamper, wipe up spills, dust, pile books or magazines, choose clothes and dress self.

Ages 4 to 5: Ages 2-3 chores, plus make own bed, empty wastebaskets, bring in mail or newspaper, clear table, pull weeds, use hand-held vacuum to pick up crumbs, water flowers, unload utensils from dishwasher, wash plastic dishes at sink, fix bowl of cereal.

Ages 6 to 7: Above, plus sort laundry, sweep floors, handle personal hygiene, set and clear table, help make and pack lunch, weed, rake leaves, keep bedroom tidy, pour own drinks, answer telephone

Here are some links to chore charts that may help. a visiual is always helpful for kids.

http://www.tipztime.com/chorecharts/freechorecharts.html

http://www.housekeeping.about.com/od/chorechart1
Collection_of_Chore_Charts_Online.htm -

Answer 2

well I started my child at 10 months old, picking up one toy. You can't just pile chores on a 6 year old without some attitude. I would start small. One job and than another. My baby is now 7 years old and will carry in all the groceries (gets paid after the first 3 bags), will clean the bathroom, will clean her room (that one was really overwhelming for her and I just stopped helping her this month), she will unpack groceries, unload dishwasher, she will vacumm and sweep (she is not very good at sweeping yet), and will babysit her baby brother so I can shower, she takes the dog outside and feeds the cats, etc. She can do almost everythign around here. Some chores are expected as she is part of the family. The rest she gets paid for depending on how fast she is, how good she does, and how good her attitude is. She has an amazing work ethic. When we go to the city she begs me for chores so she can have money to spend. She is only 7 and had the foresight to save money for Christmas gifts. She has $40 in the bank for Christmas. The rest she has spent. This year she wanted haloween decorations, and I don't like haloween and wasnt' going to buy any. She just started doing work around the house on her own and asked what else she could do. Than when were at the store she bought the decorations. She is a very good worker. If she refuses her mandatory chores, she loses priveleges. Chores do soemthing for kids... although I think my daughter does too much for her age, lol... it is her choice. But doing chores changes kids. It makes them feel valuable to the family.

Answer 3

Unlike the person that answered ahead of me I do not want my kids to become irresponsible adults. A six year old is at the right age to understand responsibilities. Setting table, making the bed, walking the dog and helping Mom with dinner is a good start.
I am not being sexist, my two boys had to help Mom with dinner preparation too.

We told our kids that feeding the pets was their responsibility and they did well with that. They also could not sit down to dinner until the dog food dish was filled and had water or the hamster had food. I am not sure I understand the part about baseboard cleaning, if that is scrubbing, she may be too young for that to be a regular job. Windexing and dusting the TV screen may be more along the lines of what a 6 year old can do.

But I applaud your thoughts about assigning responsibilities for your daughter. There are too many kids that have parents that give them everything they want; they learn nothing. Your daughter (and my sons) will be head and shoulders above their peers when it comes to lifetime success. Remember, it is not the job of a parent to be a best friend, it is our job to get them ready to be responsible adults.

Answer 4

I can understand picking up her toys, and help set the table (not do it on her own) but cleaning baseboards. Shes six, shes a child still. I think she has enough to do. Personally I would keep it at help feed the animals, pick up toys and make the bed. No offence but at the rate your going by the time shes 10 she will be mopping and scrubbing floors. The once a week thing is fine but you have more then enough things for her to do.

Answer 5

I have a 6 year old daughter. I don't really call them chores as kids tend to shy away from that term. I call it help mommy days/nights. She gathers her laundry from her laundry basket for me on laundry day.
She sets the table (puts napkins and silverware out every night)
She also feeds and waters our dogs (we have 2).
She also helps mommy dust and pick up her room. Once a week I give her some pledge wipes and she dusts the living room for me.

I will add if needed, but those are what she does on a regular basis. She now always asks if I need anymore help. Its really sweet and she really looks at it as shes helping me and not doing "chores"

Answer 6

I have two girls, ages 3 and 4. They are just now getting old enough to help out around the house. It sounds like your daughter is helping out a lot. Some things she might like to do would be to help sort laundry (matching socks, seperating whites from colors). She might like vaccuuming if you think she can handle it. Dusting, cleaning windows, and making sure her toys are put away at the end of the day are all simple things she can do. Give her chores that are fun to do so that she will want to do them again and again.

Answer 7

My eight year old did the following chores at 6: feed/water the cat, empty the dishwasher, clean his room each night, make bed in morning. On days he was out of school and we cleaned together he would take washed laundry and put in dryer, dust and vaccuum his own room. Having chores shows a child responsibility and are necessary, requiring them to help within the house is not withholding thier childhood it's building them a better future.

Answer 8

sounds to me she does enough. you dont want to give her too much or else she will rebel. their is such thing as too much of a good thing.

i also dont think sitting at the table 2 times a week is a chore, it should be common manners, my boys have to do that every day of the week!


the only chores my 5 year old boys do is dust

Answer 9

I think she should just make her bed, clean her room, and help feed the dog thats it. Shes a little young to be cooking and doing housework! My son "Helps" dust with the swiffer but its not a chore. I believe they should do chores but not in excess.

Answer 10

nothing adult-like. i thinking cooking may be a bit overkill for a six-year-old, but some small responsibility jobs like the others are good. Also, as a kid I always looked forward to vaccuming the carpet or sweeping floors, so that always gave me a kick.