Would you ask your kids to help out with the housework ?

Well I have an 8 year old as well as an almost 3 year old. My oldest doesn't really like to help much. He is only asked to clean up the living room of toys and his room, but he complains a lot. He does like to vaccum though. So sometimes we let him help with that. The little one though loves to help me wash dishes. He pulls a bucket (that he uses as a stool) up to the sink and I give him his own bowl of soapy water and few spoons and maybe a plastic cup. He does a great job too. He also like to help me when I am cooking, although I don't let him near the stove, only stiring and such. He is a great help and crys if I dont let him. I think that assigning chores is a great way for children to learn responsibility and it prepares them for the work force later down the road. It teaches them that even if they don't like the work sometimes, they still have to do it. We give our oldest a small allowence, but only if he does his work like he is asked. So that will teach him to earn his money even if it means he doesn't always like it or want to. The kids growing up these days have it easy compared to a long time ago. At least they don't have to help wash clothes by hand or be out in the field harvesting and plowing! Great discussion. Have a Blessed Day.

all of my kids have age appropriate chores to do around the house. The 10 yr. old vacuums every morning (part of a deal to get the kitty she wanted as well as changing his litter everyday)and puts the dishes in the dish washer. The 8 yr. old unloads the dishes and tidies up the couches and coffee table each day. It is also her job to wipe down the bathroom sink each night (there's at least). The 4 yr.old has to tidy up the stairs to the kids room (some how all torn up everyday!) and to feed the kitties and dogs every morning. They alternate nights helping me cook which is more a treat as they all love and fight over who get's to do it. It is important for them to do these chores not only to learn how to contribute to a house hold but to learn what must be done and how to do it in their own future homes. There is also the fact that they are learning that in life you must work, nothing is given to you.

When my children were still at home every saturday morning once i woke up it was house cleaning time. My children are grown now. My son doesnt care about being messy. My daughter cleans and her kids also help her do cleaning. So there you go. Children both taught to clean. One does and the other does not. It couild go either way. Anyway at the time i figured they messed the place up so they can clean it.

100% , this is the best way to teach them responsiblty. Even the fact that most chores, will need a second re do , thats ok. For example, if a child helps clean up the tv room, they will think twice about messing it up. It doesn't happen over night, but it helps. It also make your family feel like a team.

My children are teenagers. of course i ask them to help out with some of the housework. That doesn't mean they are always agreeable to the task though. After all, don't they live in the house too? Parents should not be slaves and children are not guests in the home. Everyone should work together in the household to make it a happy one.

I have four daughters, all of which help out with household chores. They alternate between who does what so that they do not get bored with what they are doing. I have always felt that they needed to learn, so that they will be prepared when they are grown with a family of their own. My parents let me off easy...I never had to do any chores...so when I became a wife and instant mom to three I was lost. I didn't know what to do or how to even think about beginning it. I don't want that for my kids. If I have anything to say about it, they will be prepared to take on the job of being wife and mother when their day comes.

I think that parents are doing their children a big favor if they allow them to help out with houseworks. It'll teach them to become responsible and disciplined. Parents can start with simple housework like washing their own dishes after they eat. They can also ask their kids to clean their own room, feed their pets, or arrange and/or organize their toys. These are simple tasks actually. But later on, in their life, they become better persons because they don't have to relly on others.

My three year old son is still at the age that he wants to do anything I do. He helps load and unload the washer and dryer, wash dishes (nothing sharp or glass!) sweep the floor, make the beds, you name it. The results aren't always perfect, but I think it's better to let him help since it's fun so that later he may still do these things without much complaint. Just yesterday I needed to mop the kitchen, so I got out our swiffer for him and the mop for me and we got the kitchen floor mopped. At first I found myself wishing he'd just go play elsewhere, but as it turned out, he actually did a really good job helping and the floor looked great.

My kids are all grown now but when they were home, they had to help. My daughters did the dishes my step-son had to take out the garbage. They all had to pick up after themselves and keep their rooms clean. Honestly, I didn't make them do enough, my daughters are both lousy housekeepers. My step-son, however, keeps his home clean, he likes a clean home and keeps himself neat and clean. My grandchildren, while here, are expected to pick up after themselves and they are asked to help me while I'm cleaning. I don't ask a lot but what they do, really helps me. I believe that children should be taught to clean a home, it teaches them responsibility and they won't be slobs when they get out on their own.

I think children should have chores to do as soon as they are big enough. My grandson who is 5 has been taught he has to pick up his toys so he's real good about it. He is always wanting to help me do something & of course i think so is soo sweet, lol. both my sons were given chores to do when they were small, it may not be there favorite thing to do but they both know how to clean up the house, wash clothes, cook & keep the yard. They need to know how to fend for themselves.

When I was growing up I use to have to help with the housework. I also had my son help some when he was growing up. When they grow up and move away from home they will know how to take care of their house. It also is a good idea to teach them how to cook so they can cook for themselves too.

Hello Grace, This is a nice discussion. No doubt parents can always ask the kids to help up in doing some simple house works. When I was 8 years old, I have started to help my mom to do house works. I have to sweep the floor everyday. Then when I grow bigger, I need to help my mom to wash the clothing. There was the time we did not have washing machine at home, . And now I have married and I live with my hubs and my kids. Everyday I have lot of house chores to finish. No harm to ask our kids to help out with the house works. But my elder kids is only 3 years old now, I think I have to wait some few more years then I will have a little helper to help me. For now, when I busy with my house works, my daughter is willing to help me too. When she sees me sweeping the floor, she insist wants to get my broom to sweep the floor. . I hope when she grows up, she will offer to help me too.

Yes, it help them to learn and be trained so that when the time comes they can already do household thing even without you. Or should I say they will know what to do when they already get married.

Definitely! It's a great way to build some sort of responsible behaviour in children and it helps to banish certain stereotypes like boys should not do 'housework', girls must only do 'girly' stuff and other silly delimiting way of thinking. In addition, it helps mom and dad to some free time, even if it is just for a moment and help kids not to be lazy.

My sisters and I always helped with chores growing up. It seems like common sense to me to teach children to help themselves. Lack of discipline leads to lazy individuals who would rather pay someone else to do everything for them. For me cleaning house is uplifting and refreshing. I want my children to feel the same way. To feel like they can do whatever task is pushed in front of them. Teaching them the skills to take care of themselves builds confidence. Wouldn't you agree? My sister can't cook anything past boxed macaroni and cheese because she slacked off on her chores. Now her son is raised on easy mac and fast food, and her dishes wont come clean without a dishwasher. My children will know a mother who can cook homestyle meals fresh from her own garden. They will also, learn to use a washing machine, vacuum cleaner, and how to properly clean their home. When they are older, they can help cook. (everyone starts with cookies! yay!) Teens love having their outfits handy, so make them wash it themselves. It doesn't take long and they'll be better for it. In high school I felt a little jealous. I did all my chores without allowance, but most of my peers got an allowance without sharing chores! Why is that? Even small children can help with chores. Make a game out of putting things where they belong. Where do shirts go? In the dresser/closet. Good job, now you earned the privilege of putting your hands into this yummy cookie dough! And since you helped make them, you get an extra warm cookie. (if you're worried about them eating too many sweets, cut your recipe in half) My friend's little boy adores vacuum cleaners. He's 3 now. Isn't that awesome? I bought him a real working miniature Dyson vacuum cleaner for Christmas last year and his little face just lit up. He drags that thing everywhere, especially when mommy is cleaning too! Unfortunately his older brother and sister don't share his enthusiasm. ha ha =) Maybe someday they will. Let's hope he never grows out of his love of helping out!

I grew up surrounded by helpers (we weren't rich, that's just the way it is here) and never learned to do housework. I paid for that when I started living on my own. Now, married with one daughter, I still don't have a helper (although tried having one a couple of times, with exasperating results - helpers nowadays aren't like what they were when I was growing up). I'll probably get a cleaning lady who can help out once a week or so, but I do the day to day stuff myself and am gradually training my child (almost) 3 to help out. I know the training will benefit her.

Yes, I think it's important for kids to do housework. I believe it helps to prepare them for when they're out on their own. My husband's mother did everything for him and now he has no idea how to be on his own. It's the one thing that I worry about when I leave. him.

yea..i think it is a good thing..it's not like you are putting them in child labor or something..you are training them to be responsible

I think it's a good idea to let the kids do some of the hard work. It teaches them about responsibility and cleanliness. It can reduce your stress and use up any extra energy that kids may have. I supervise these little kids at this place I volunteer at, and often times, I'd actually see a few of them argue over who gets to sweep or vacuum the floor. They don't even wait for me to ask to clean up; they just know it's time to clean up and get the broom or vacuum. I have to actually tell them to share in cleaning up the room!

When I was younger I helped my mom with the housework she gave me specific chores to do each week. Once my son gets old enough I'll have him do chores too. Maybe like take the garbage out or sweep the floor