What chore schedule works in your family?

Question

We have a 11 year old and a 151/2 year old (whom does have a job 16 hours a week at a restaraunt). Have tried different things for chores, but does not last. I know everything is about consistancy. They have only 2 things that are there expected of them. School first and there own bedrooms, which are usually a disaster. Upon the usual-house, yard, dog, cat, we are also putting on an addition and remodeling to our 55yr. old home, key word WE meaning doing all ourself. Point being, we need to regain control of this issue with our kids, right now! Hello- more house=more care. I can not keep up now, and feel there is no reason they should not be helping daily. My new thought is to either assign or let them pick a room, and have to keep it clean for the week, then switch each week. At this point, I need serious feedback from others. So, chores, allowance and results of a non-cooperative child, is appreciated Respectful advice/ideas is what this overwhelmed mom needs. GOOD DAY!

Answer 1

I agree their job should be keeping their room clean. After all, it's *your* house and you are letting them live there--the least they could do is keep their rooms clean!

What I would do is tell them that any time you (or dad) finds something on the floor in their room it's going in the trash. Also, any time you find trash on the floor, under their bed, etc. they owe you 50 cents. For example, they leave candy wrappers or other trash in their room, it's 50 cents per piece of trash you find.

I've known parents who've done this (and my parents did it with me also) and it works every time. They learn quick if there are consequences like these. No kid likes to hand over money and they sure as heck don't like to see their belongings in the trash. A couple times of this and their rooms will probably be cleaner then mom and dads! Good luck :-)

Answer 2

I have 3 boys ages 9, 11 and 12 and a girl 15. We sat down at a "family meeting" and made a list of chores..(brainstorming i guess) After we made the list each of the kids got to pick 1 chore that would be there responsibility. The get an allowance only if the chores are done. We broke it down to what they would be paid daily for that chore so if they do it 4 of the days instead of 5 they would get less money. I say 5 days because we gave them 2 days off. Their choice of the days. We do this weekly so the same child is not doing the same chore over and over again. I know I hate doing things that way and like a little change every now and then. We have been doing this for about 5 months now and it is working out great. The kids learn quick when other get money and they do not.

Answer 3

We have an 11 year old son who has regular chores that he is expected to do on a daily basis and then certain things that are done once or twice a week. He is responsible for keeping his bedroom and bathroom clean. He takes out the trash every night, dishes every other night. There are other chores regarding his room that he does on certain days as well.
I would start of with regular chores for each child that they can alternate each week. If they would like to chose which chores/ rooms to be responsible for, then I say let them decide. It gives them an opportunity to have some say in how they can help out around the house. There should be consequences for not doing the chores as well. Such as no video games, or visiting friends until the chore is done.
It might take a little while to get them into a routine and get them to accept the chores. But in the long run it will benefit them and the family as a whole.

Good Luck

Answer 4

Well, we have a 4,6,and 11 yr old that all hate chores but hey it's part of life isn't it? :-) The two younger ones are responsible for picking up their mess (bedroom and out of room) As soon as they get home every day (pending homework) they get their chores done. If they have homework they do it right after homework which is done right away. Our 11 yr old comes home, does his homework and usually starts chores an hour before bed to get things done. We give him $5 a week if he does it right. As far as when they are non-cooperative for each night they act up they get an extra chore for 2 nights. They've learned to just do it whether their happy about it or not. Also as far as the bedrooms we require our kids to have them cleaned up every night before bed. Good luck I know what your going through

Answer 5

When I was growing up I had chores. Keep my bedroom clean, dishes, taking out the trash, feed the dogs. If my chores were not done as soon as I was done with my homework then I was grounded. We were not allowed to do anything until it was done. If a friend showed up at the door and wanted us to hang out and our chores were not done...we didnt' get to go! My mom would check everything before we walked out the door. It worked for us. You might just have to put your foot down! They are old enough to have some responsibility. My five year old has to keep his room clean or he doesnt' get to play. End of story. Good Luck!

Answer 6

Take away privileges if chores are not done. Messy room? No phone or friends until it's spotless. At their ages, they are capable of doing their own laundry. If they want clean clothes then they have to do it.

Answer 7

The room thing actully sounds really good... but are they still going to clean there rooms as well?