Just wondering how many parents make their children do chores?

Question

I have a 16 year old that swears her friends don't have to do chores but I think it teaches her that she has to earn the money I give her on the weekends and also responcibility.

Answer 1

Our 15 year old has chores, but they tend to be 'as' needed sorts of things rather than regular, scheduled chores.

She hates it, and also claims that none of her friends have to do them (which I don't believe for a second).

Answer 2

I never had to do chores. My parents pretty much payed for everything (they..and now I...don't believe in allowances. think it just makes kids greedy and want more money) I needed. I wasn't one of those kids that wanted everything in the toy store though, so that may have been why they didn't mind buying me stuff.

Anwyay, even though I didn't have any designated chores to do around the house, I still helped out and cleaned because it made me feel good and feel like I was helping the family out. So not everyone has to do chores. On the weekends my mom and I would do a lot of volunteer work, so we never really worried about money since my father makes more than enough and my parents never felt the need to give me spare money since they would be with me when I spent it anyway.

I think that charity starts at home, and one way to help out the family is to help keep your home nice and appreciate it. But at the same time, not all kids (especially teens) agree with their parents or feel this way. Hope this helped!

Answer 3

My children are 10 and 5. They have each been doing chores since they were about 2. We give them "pay" for the chores such as make their bed, vacuum their room, set the table, take out trash, and for the 10yr old mowing the lawn. We also are teaching them to save a certain percentage of earnings to go toward a "big" purchase, tithe a certain percentage to the church, and the rest they can put in their pocket for spending money - kudos to Dave Ramsey. The only problem I do run into is having to explain to them that there are some things you do to get the extra money you want; there are some things you do just because you are told to; and then there are some things you do for people just to be nice and help them out.

Chores are a necessity in my opinion. You have to teach them responsibility, because no one else will. And they sure aren't going to just automatically be responsible.

Answer 4

Some parents don't make their children do chores. Their children end up being spoiled brats who think everyone should do everything for them. Which doesn't work that way.

I think ALL parents should make their kids do chores and teach them responsibility, because really, mommy and daddy aren't going to be around forever to wipe their tooshies for them.

I was doing chores when I was really little. A LOT younger than 16.

Answer 5

I have a four year old that does chores. Simple things like helping clear the dinner table and bringing the clothes hamper to the laundry room, but I feel that if he gets used to a little work now it should become second nature the older he gets..
Parents today are too soft on their kids.
Delegating chores builds a good work ethic for later in life.

Answer 6

I dont have a kid old enough yet, but you better believe that when he is old enough he will be doing chores. It teaches them responcibility, and that things dont come for free. I had to do chores when I was kid and now I am very adament on how things are in my house, the beds are made every morning when we wake up. I think it is a better way to live.

Answer 7

I have a 5 year old and a 16 month old. My 5 year old is only responsible for minor things. She has to tidy her room when she makes a mess and she makes her bed (not perfect) but she does try. When she get home from school she put her backpack on the hook in her room and then she has to feed her kitten. I think if you show your child what to do they will naturally pick up on it and then when the time comes it will be easier for them to grasp because they have seen Mommy/Daddy do it. I don't pressure her and so when she asks me to help put away the dishes or wants to fold clothes (her method) I enourage her. As both my kids older, their chores will change.

Answer 8

My step-daughter has chores to do around our house. She lives with us half the week and with her mom the other half of the week. She is expected to keep her room clean (not spotless, but clean), do her own laundry, check the dishwasher and either load or unload the dishes (depending on if the dishwasher is full of clean dishes, etc.) and empty the trash in the laundry room. She is also expected to keep her belongings picked up and not leave them all over the house. She is also responsible for helping with the horses, since she has one to ride and show. She is 13.

When she tries that "my friends don't have to blah, blah, blah" line, I say this "you're friends don't live here and are not my responsibility. If their parents want to be slaves to them, that is their choice. But I am not a maid."

Giving children responsibilities, as I like to call it, teaches them to be responsible. It also teaches them how to take care of themselves and prepares them for when the time comes to be on their own. It teaches them what it means to be part of a family, too, and work together. Responsibilities also teach children that they can achieve something if they work hard, but in order to keep it, you have to take care of it. If you can buy a house, that is a great accomplishment, but if you leave food out and never clean it, pretty soon you're living with rats and bugs and your house could be condemned and you'll be homeless.

Keep up the good work in teaching your teen responsibility. Teach her next that nothing in life is free once you hit a certain age (you can determine what that age is).

Answer 9

We don't make the children do chores on a regular basis. We do expect them to clean up after themselves (helping them at an age-adjusted level) and to help with shared responsibilities around the house, when asked, or as they notice something that needs to be done or someone needing some help. We sometimes still find it necessary to remind them or help them notice a shared job that they could help with, but, we also catch them doing things like that on their own much of the time, too.

Answer 10

I have a 10 and 14 year old and I make them do chores.