Do you make your kids do chores?
By luvstochat
@luvstochat (6907)
United States
November 15, 2007 8:55pm CST
I have two kids and I have both of them help me out around the house. They take out the trash and put away the clean dishes and clean their rooms and my older ones does things like help vaccuum and they also have to pick any trash up that blows in the yard and throw it away.
Do your kids do chores? Do you pay them an allowance for it?
1 person likes this
13 responses
@Ciniful (1587)
• Canada
16 Nov 07
Yes, and yes. I have five kids, and each of them has a preset set of chores that have to be done if they want their allowance that week. Just like the real world ... if you want to get paid, you have to work for it. And if they don't do their work, they don't get paid or only get paid based on the amount they did. Their rooms aren't part of the bargain though, they're required to keep those clean regardless and without the incentives of priviledges. It's sort of like ... while I might go to work and earn a paycheque, no one pays me to clean my house. It's my own space and I'm responsible for it. The same goes for their bedrooms.
Beyond that, they've also been raised to understand that a family helps out to care for the entire family ... this not only includes household chores, but helping to care for siblings, family pets, and other family situations.
They chores are based on their ages and capabilities. For example, my 11 and 12 year old trade dishes nights, take out the garbage and other random chores around the house, while my 6 year old has the chore of keeping the bookshelf neat and tidy, feeding the hamster and making sure the stairs are cleaned off. (no piles of toys on the side waiting to go up). Each has their own set they're responsible to keep up with. :)
@luvstochat (6907)
• United States
16 Nov 07
Sound like you have a nice plan for your kids and are teaching them some good responsibliities.
@Ciniful (1587)
• Canada
17 Nov 07
Mine have things they do that aren't dependant on their allowance, so it evens out. My oldest son babysits his siblings while I go shopping, and I don't pay him. The older two will keep the younger ones out of my hair and entertained, reading them books or making up games for them, so that I can get a break. They're quick to do anything I ask around the house and never hesitate to help out.
If the only work they ever did was what their allowance depended on, I could see an issue with people not liking allowances being dependent on chores. But they go well above and beyond what their allowance pays them to do.
Where other parents don't seem to agree with being 'paid' to do their chores (even though they do ten times more than their allowance calls for), I don't agree with giving a child an allowance for nothing. It doesn't teach them anything except to put out their hands and expect it. *shrug* So we have set things that need to be done if they want their allowance, and if they don't do it, or have to be reminded too many times, they don't get an allowance. It's fairly simple.
To be honest, and not pinpointing anyone in particular, the ones who critisize me most for 'paying' my children to do housework are the same ones I see saying they don't bother with an allowance (for whatever reason) and their kids are hesitant to do their chores. I don't have that problem. My kids definitely will get an allowance, because learning how to handle money is one of the things they HAVE to know before leaving home, and every kid should have the opportunity to buy things THEY want every now and then. On top of that, I don't have to bug them or get angry that their work isn't done, I don't have to make vague threats about report cards (allowances are revoked if their grades fall) and I don't have to worry about them doing the bare minimum around the house, knowing they understand the work involved in being a part of a big family and take pride in it.
@Mamaof2 (574)
• Canada
16 Nov 07
I have two children, only one of them being really old enough to help around the house. I pretty much take care of everything around here but she is responcible for her room and the play room. It is her job to keep both of the rooms clean and she does a pretty good job at it. About once a week when she is at school I will go into these rooms and do a complete clean but she does keep it up. I will ask her to help take out the recycling and such as well. There are times when she is in the mood to help and makes her self a little list of stuff to get done. The funny part of this is that each of her jobs on the list have a money value. She will write the chore then beside it... .10 cents, .25 cents ect. So on a good day she gets a whole list done and I only have to pay her like 1.00...lol
@mari_skye (1637)
• Philippines
17 Nov 07
I don't have kids yet but I did have my share of household chores back when I was still living with my parents. And I don't remember receiving anything extra for it. I think it is a good thing to have the kids help around in the house. I think it helps in the development of a child.
@isaiah12 (416)
• United States
16 Nov 07
Both my daughters are grown. But when they were younger I did give them chores to do. My younger daughter was much better at keeping up with her chores. I had to always be at my oldest girl to do her chores. Once they get old enough to help out around the house I think they should.
@cindyinc70 (115)
•
16 Nov 07
I have had my kids doing chores since they were 3 years old. They used to earn stickers and special things and money. Now they just do it because they are part of the household and they make the mess. :)
@4monsters4me (2569)
• United States
16 Nov 07
My oldest 3 kids have chores. They don't like to do them, lol (who really likes doing chores). They are 7, 6 and 5. They have to clean their room, put their clean clothes away, put their dirty clothes in the hamper and then bring the hamper down on the weekends. They take their dirty dishes to the sink after meals (I usually have to remind them to do this). They help me unload the dishwasher and clean the tables. They also sweep up the house (it is all hardwood). And they help keep the baby's room clean.
The baby is 19 months old and is already learning to do chores. Today I was sitting at my computer and I saw her go into her room carrying a big pile of stuff to put in her laundry basket. It was so cute. no one even asked her to do it. She just knew that dirty clothes go in the hamper and this stuff was dirty. She also picks stuff up off the floor and either throws it away or brings it to me.
They don't get an allowance. We have taught them that chores and helping each other is part of being a family. I don't get paid and neither do they.
Actually I asked my 6yo son to do something for me earlier and he said he would if I paid him a dollar. So I told him I would remember that next time he wanted me to do his laundry or cook him dinner and then he would owe me a dollar for doing that for him. He quickly changed his tune, lol.
@breezie (1246)
• Canada
16 Nov 07
My kids are 6 and 9 and they help out around the house. They have to keep their rooms clean and have sweep and mop them on Saturdays and put away their own laundry.
They are also the ones resposible for the puppy that they wanted. They have to feed her, take her outside and clean up any messes she makes. They don't always want to , but I remond them that they wanted her and it's their job to take care of her.
Some other things they do when I ask are help with dishes, cleaning the bathroom, taking out the recycling boxes and doing the laundry. They do not get allowence for helping around the house because they live here too. Everyone has to help each other.
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
16 Nov 07
My son has chores to do everyday. He does get an allowance, if he does it without being told. If we have to make him do it one day, he looses that days pay.
@patgalca (18174)
• Orangeville, Ontario
16 Nov 07
I have two daughters and I do have trouble getting them to help out around the house. For my 14 year old, a lot of the time it is just because she is so busy with other things. She cleans up her room every Sunday and we did have a dish washing schedule that worked for a couple of months, but no one seems to be following it now. She washes dishes occasionally but she is involved in sports, babysitting and high school homework.
With my 11 year old I have trouble getting her to do anything. She does take out the garbage, compost bin and recycle bins to the curb on garbage day, and she likes to help mow the lawn, but getting her to put her laundry away is a chore. I am always leaving her notes on her whiteboard on her door.
I do not believe in paying my children to help out around the house. We all live in this house and we are all responsible for the upkeep. I do not give allowance because I don't have money to give away. My youngest likes to go to the convenience store a lot and spends her money on candy and slushees and gum. My oldest gets money from her paper route and babysitting. She likes to buy clothes and purses and teen magazines. I have tried to teach them about saving money. They should know when they see how our family is struggling financially. But peer pressure is and always will be a problem. Even if I had money, I would not pay my children to do chores. I pay for their soccer and basketball and other activities - THAT is their allowance.
@roniroxas (10560)
• Philippines
16 Nov 07
i have four children and they help me with the chores. each one of them have their own place to clean, one at the living room, one at the dining room, one for the bed room and one for the kitchen and bath room. since they were little i teached them how to do chores but of course we started to do simple ones. my children knows how too cook too and they have schedule of who will wash the dishes and who will cook the rice. i am proud of them because they are responsible i dont pay an allowance for that.
@dianiraj (27)
• Kenya
16 Nov 07
We have one child and he is 5 years old. We have got him into this habit that he will get a new toy or a chocolate only if he tidies up his room, arranges his toys and books and his clothes. Inculcating a sense of responsibility for one's possessions and also rewarding the child for good work is definitely a good way to train the children. And I do not have to raise my voice or be strict with him. If he fails to do what is expected of him then he does not get his reward!
