What "chores" do your kids have to do around the house?

[Marla]

Just wondering what they are expected to do?

My two boys (6 and 9) are responsible for cleaning up their rooms, making their beds (when there is time...9 year old only because 6 year old sleeps on a day bed...too hard for him to make), clean up any messes that they have made (toys, books), clear their dishes after meals (oldest DS also rinses his dishes and puts them in dishwasher), and put their laundry away after it has been sorted.

I think I am trying to teach my boys all the things that my DH still doesn't do :lol:

What about in your house?

[Cathy]

I will start out by admitting that I am a MEAN mother....

My dds (16, 14, 13) do the laundry (sorting, wash/dry, folding and putting away their own), cook dinner at least 4 nights a week, take out trash and recyclables, vaccuum, dust, set and clear the table........ wait--it's easier to say what I don't expect them to do. They never wash dishes (but I rarely cook-so it evens out!), wash the kitchen floor, grocery shop, or have any responsibility for my belongings or room. I don't get on them about their rooms, and they keep them okay. They have a ton of responsibility, and they have a larger 'say' in how the house functions than I did at their age. In the summer, when I'm not working, I do most of the housework, and they relax. We split the lawn and yardwork, since 3 of us enjoy it. I want my kids prepared for independence. My mom was the best, but she took care of almost everything (except set/clear the table, trash, and dishes). I walked out of her house really clueless about how to deep clean, cook, or fix anything. Kind of embarrassing......

[Amy2]

Well, dd is not quite two, so all she does is set her plate on the counter when she's done eating. Rather, she crashes her plate to the tile when she's finished eating. Also, I will sometimes ask her to put her shirt or socks in the laundry basket if she leaves them on the floor. Just recently she "helped" me unload the dishwasher by sorting the silverware into it's proper slot.

DS, 5.5 makes his bed every morning, and has for ages. He puts his clean clothes away, shoves them into the appropriate drawer, really, and also is asked to dump the bedroom and bathroom garbage cans into the main kitchen garbage can. This is about every couple/few weeks.

Occasionally he sorts laundry with me, and both kids like to help with vacuuming and dusting, but they really just stir the dirt around. Still, I am hoping one day it will translate into actual cleaning.

Amy

[Diane]

I really don't expect my kids to do a lot... just help to keep the house clean after I've cleaned it. LOL At their ages you wouldn't think that would be a problem but... ugh, sometimes I wonder. LOL They are responsible to keep their own bedrooms clean... which they do a pretty good job at. I'd LIKE to see them help wash/clean the dishes after were done eating but... that usually doens't happen. Half of the reason why they DON'T do it is that they were never made to do it when they were young so... it's my own fault. My middle dd does most of her own laundry but if she gets in a pinch we'll usually wash her's along with our's when we do it. She's working full time and going to school three nights a week so... I can see where this would happen. Otherwise... dh and I do most everything. :)

Diane... :wave:

[arianna]

MM! Marla our boys are the same ages and we have pretty much the same "jobs" here in our home. and :
They:
both take the trash out and wash the cans each time
feed the dogs when asked
fold their own laundry
tidy the bathroom when they are through
occasionally help me in the garden.

Son #2 is a big helper. Always brings a tall glass of cool water and a homemade snack. We call him sandwich boy.
Son #1 thinks he's a prince:rolleyes:.

ßß!

[Marla]

I'm so glad to see that I am not alone.

I think that it is important for the kids to learn responsibility at a young age.

[JAK]

I make my kids do quite a bit - (dd is almost 8 and ds will be 6 in a few days).

They both are responsible for keep their own rooms picked up (not spotless) and making their beds. They take turns setting the table and each cleans their place when done. My dd unloads the dishwasher most of the time but ds likes to do it too. They are responsible for feeding their fish and dd sometimes feeds the cats. They put all dirty laundry in the hampers and then put away their clothes after I have folded them. My dd especially loves yard work and loves to help my dh with that. She even like to wash the trucks and shovel snow. I'm sure that will wear of as she gets older! :) I can't think of anything else right now.

[KarlaB]

Oldest ds is 4 1/2 and youngest is 2 1/2. They both love to help with vacuuming, dusting, sweeping, sorting laundry (and trying to fold it! LOL!), loading the washer and dryer, and unloading the dishwasher. Some days it's actually a fight over who gets to do what.....let's hope their enthusiasm lasts! LOL! Oldest ds is really good about putting his dishes in the dishwasher when he is done eating, wiping off the table, and picking up after himself in general ~ youngest ds idolizes him, so he tends to do the same when he sees his brother doing any of this stuff.

[AnnW]

Makes beds, set table, plates to the sink, clothes in laundry basket, put up clean clothes, feed/walk dog, and anything else that we need.

[Linda/NE]

The older boys (11 & 10) and dd (6) switch off clearing table and loading dishwasher, empty dishwasher, and setting table. ds #1 feeds the dogs their dog food and fresh water. Ds #2 takes out scraps from the table and feeds the cats. The boys are responsible for cleaning up the garage if their cats got in there and made a mess.

All the kids are responsible for their rooms, bringing laundry up, and putting clean clothes away. The older boys clean the downstairs basement. The girls clean the toy room and the youngest ds is expected to pick up things upstairs when asked.

It sounds like we should have a pretty clean house, but they don't always do such a good job of completing their chores.

[Marla]

I think our DKs spouses will thank us later on!!!