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My kids are almost 6 and 7 and have chores. Make their beds, pick up clutter, load and empty the dishwasher, sort laundry, unpack the groceries, garbage and recycling, get the mail, set the table, feed the dog, weed the flower beds. They are very willing and able helpers at this age at least. I don't pay an allowance but only pay for special jobs like clean the fence. My kids both play sports and I pay for their sports so that keeps them motivated.
I am always embarrassed to admit (on these forums) that I don't require my kids to make their beds. I see no point. If someone is coming over it takes me a few minutes to make all the beds in the house (if they are home I ask them to do their own).
We don't have lists. We just expect the kids to participate in running the household. I usually do laundry but sometimes I ask the kids to help. If I cook, they clean the kitchen and vice versa. The pails need to get taken to the street on garbage pickup day and brought back up in the afternoon. I expect them to participate as needed. We don't have lists. We just all help with whatever needs to be done.
You're in good company. None of the beds in this house are currently made.
You're in good company. None of the beds in this house are currently made.
The last time I made a bed was when we were having a semi new group of friends over for dinner....I knew there woukd be a house tour at some point....the duvets were put on nicely and the accent pillows actually put on the bed!
My 3 year old picks up his toys and has been feeding the dogs since before he was 2.
First with help. Now on his own.
He also does whatever I tell him. He is kind of perfectionist, so if you tell him to dust a table, he will get every speck of dust off of it.
My 4 year old doesn't really have chores yet, but she'll often help me with things like emptying the dishwasher and putting clothes in the washing machine. On cleaning day she has to clean her room before she's allowed out to play.
My OH gives her opportunities to earn money by doing tasks for him, like pulling weeds, cleaning the toilet, "helping" him fix things etc.
I am always embarrassed to admit (on these forums) that I don't require my kids to make their beds. I see no point. If someone is coming over it takes me a few minutes to make all the beds in the house (if they are home I ask them to do their own).
We don't have lists. We just expect the kids to participate in running the household. I usually do laundry but sometimes I ask the kids to help. If I cook, they clean the kitchen and vice versa. The pails need to get taken to the street on garbage pickup day and brought back up in the afternoon. I expect them to participate as needed. We don't have lists. We just all help with whatever needs to be done.
A bedroom can be in perfect order but if the bed is unmade it looks like a wreck! ...and you must agree if you make the beds for company!
Also, getting into a bed with sheets smooth and straight is such a pleasure at the end of the day, versus one where the covers are all crumpled and rough, pulled over to the other side etc. Used to be that in training for CNAs they were taught the importance of smoothing wrinkles out of sheets as they are hard on the skin, especially for older folks and those who are bedridden.
Yes, it is nice to enter a nicely made bed at the end of the day, but I don't consider it a tremendous failure if it doesn't get done. I can always smooth the sheets before I hop in at night.
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