momAgenda Blog
Do Your Kids Do Chores?
January 19, 2010 12:45 PM
This week's organizing challenge is all about chores for the kids. I am no expert in this area, as my idea of giving my kids chores is basically to bark at them to empty the dishwasher when I am too busy/stressed out in the morning to do so myself. I have often thought, however, that giving the kids set chores would benefit everyone, and the countless articles I have read on the subject reinforce that idea.
The primary reason my kids do not do chores is that I have not organized that process. I know that If I did so, and if there was some sort of reward at the end of each week, the chores would get done. Ironically, momAgenda actually makes a fabulous Chores Pad, the layout of which I designed personally, so you would think I would be all over this! But sadly, no.
So the organization challenge for all of you (and me) this week is to give your kids their own chores. If you don't have our Chores Pad just make one of your own (you can copy our layout... I won't mind!).
Here are just a few ideas based on age group:
Under 3: Forget it... the little guys are off the hook, for now!
Age 3-5: Clear breakfast and dinner plates; put away toys after playing.
Age 6-8: All of the above plus... Empty dishwasher; make the bed; feed and walk pets.
Age 9-12: All of the above plus... Load dishwasher; help with cooking; fold and put away laundry.
Age 13+: All of the above, plus... Take out garbage; do own laundry.
In terms of a reward at the end of the week, I have read conflicting advice on the subject. Some experts suggest that there should be no reward, as kids need to learn that there are some responsibilities that simply come with being part of a family. While I agree with this in theory, I think it might be difficult to get my kids to stick with their chores without some sort of small tangible benefit. So I am going to throw it out to you all... to those of you who already have a chores system in place, do you reward your kids for sticking with it?
And to the rest of you... good luck with your challenge this week!
Technorati Tags: day planner, personal organizer
Sign up for news alerts, an exclusive 10% subscriber discount, and new product updates
-
RSS Feed
Comments (3)
Great post, as I was thinking about this over the weekend and trying to come up with an approach that would be age appropriate for my 3 boys, ages 4, 9 and 11. They are good about clearing plates, and we have a housekeeper who keeps things tidy, but it bugs me that I don't have them pitch in other ways. So your post has inspired me to come up with a plan. Thanks.
Posted by: Tami McCarthy - January 19, 2010 1:39 PM
I have a three year-old daughter. If you were to ask her "What's Mom and Dad's jobs" she would tell you "Mom's job is to cook and Dad's job is to do the dishes." (even though we both work outside the home) And then she'd proudly proclaim "My job is to set the table!!" She sets out the plates and silverware and then adds the not-hot things (butter, soy sauce, fruit, etc) to the table, too. When I was a single mom and she was only 2 (I married the man of my dreams this last August), she helped with this, too. It gave her something to do while I was cooking. Now she is also responsible for cleaning up her toys before bath. We don't use a reward system, we just talk about how everyone helps do things at our house.
Posted by: AlyDees - January 19, 2010 2:25 PM
No, we don't reward chores. We have explained to our kids that being part of a family means everyone pitches in and everyone has a job. They get an allowance, but that's not dependent on them doing their chores.
What is dependent on them doing their chores is their access to privileges like TV and internet and computer time and Wii and phone credit.
Oh, I nearly forgot and it's by far the greatest motivator for the teen girls - if they don't do their chores I don't have time to play taxi for them.
Posted by: Mistress B - January 20, 2010 8:25 PM
Post a Comment