Household Chores for Kids

Is there a certain age that you've started your kids doing certain things around the house? If so, care to share what the ages were for different chores?

My daughter begged to start helping in the kitchen a lot younger than my sister's kids did. I didn't see anything wrong with giving her a few *totally supervised* chores in the kitchen (of course never anything involving a hot stove or a knife!)

Other early chores we set into motion were keeping her own toys picked up, folding "easy" laundry like the wash cloths and towels, and even a little dusting when she asked.

That's the thing... most of the early chores I gave her were things she *asked* to do... never anything that was me initiating at first. I find that interesting. I guess I shouldn't allow myself to think that would continue into the teen years, eh?

Sounds like my daughter. She wanted to mimic everything mommy did since she was about 2. Picking up is easy, so as soon as she learned to walk, she's helped clean her room. At 4, she was helping put away dishes and did so well we just let her put away whatever she could reach on her own. She's 6 now and helps with laundry, and is learning to wipe things down. She tries washing dishes but some are a bit difficult, she is getting the hang of loading the dishwasher! I think all we have left is floor cleaning, but the broom and vacuum are too big and awkward for her to handle. And I've always found something for her to do to help me cook- dumping contents into a bowl for example.

I have always made sure to include outdoor chores on the list for my kids to do and and I also think that it is important switch them up so the kids do not get complacent. I remember that I had my kids doing the same chore over and over and it resulted in them getting them done in thirty seconds and not caring about how it looked, so I needed to change that.

I try and keep a chores lists for my boys to do when they want to earn some extra money. It teaches them a good work ethic. It includes things like washing dishes, helping make dinner, vacuuming, dusting, washing the floor, cleaning the bathroom, doing laundry, folding clothes. Eventually these chores just become good habits. My oldest loves to help make supper and my youngest enjoys helping out with the laundry.

Yes, I have started a "to do" chart for my two girls. They are 10 and 8 therefore they should be doing something to help out and to gain responsibility. I started my 10 year old washing dishes after dinner and the 8 year old sweeps the kitchen floor. Mind you they are not too happy with this arrangement but..oh well. I think children should always have responsibilities in the place in which they live. They should also get rewarded when they perform these tasks without being asked to do them.