Help! What chores do your kids do?

[witty, wise and wicked]

All of these are really good ideas, and you could also just go on google and type age appropriate chores, or chores for kids, and see what comes up. I did the same thing over the summer, because I had my two boys - 11 & 7 at the time, and three step-kids, ages 6-10...so, with five kids in the house and both of us working all day, we got FED UP with coming home to a complete mess - we wanted to walk right back out!! And yes, we did have a sitter there for part of the day, but she was not responsible for cleaning up after the kids. So, I made up a chore chart, had a family meeting, and tried to make the kids understand that they were all responsible. It worked for the most part..of course there were days when not everything got done, but all in all it went a lot smoother for the rest of the summer, and my husband and I did not spend all night working after we got home from working!!!

[cherry251]

Extra chores alongside regular duties could include cleaning the bathrooms (no child wants to do that) washing dishes by hand even if you have a dishwasher, organizing cupboards/closets, organizing boxes of photos or toys, alphabetizing books and movies

[nclover]

Thanks everyone! I'm getting some good ideas! I like the organizing closet one a lot. He does have regular chores, these are just above and beyond. I heard a child psychologist interviewed on the radio last week and he said that a short burst of unpleasant activity is better reinforcement than grounding a child. So, I am trying to change things up a bit to get better results. I am sick of hearing myself nag! He is a great kid who just needs to guided back onto the good grades, hard work, best effort path! He gave himself a vacation and now it is back to work time.

[PDXmom]

My 8 year old loves scrubbing the toilet. In fact he and his 6 year old sister fight over who gets to do it. Bathrooms (excluding the shower) are quick and easy. Now getting the 8 year old to organize his closet all on his own.... talk about torture! I'm not sure he could pull it off. His idea of organize is shove it under the bed.

[sskkc]

My 8 year old does the following "extra chores":

empties the trash cans (double pay if he does it without a reminder!)
empties the dishwasher
helps dad clean the garage/cars
helps dad with work (we're self employed and sometimes have small jobs he can accomplish)
vacuums
sweeps

He is expected to keep his room, hallway, playroom and bathroom neat and tidy (yeah, right!), take his dirty clothes to the basement, do small chores/errands without complaint as requested, bring in the mail, and feed and water the cats for the privilege of being my son.

That's about all he can do without being stood over, or without me having to redo it all later.

[dvcgal]

Feed the dogs and let them in and out of the back yard.
Make sure the dogs have water.
Make your own lunch.
Pick out your clothes for the morning and let me approve them.
Dust when needed in your room.
Mop when needed in your bathroom.
Place clothes in dirty laundry when you take them off.
Rake leaves in the yard.
Keep your room clean!

[ginacal]

Clean windows (first floor only externally). All others internally.
Clean mirrors and all glass on cabinets. TV screens, etc.
Dust furniture.
Clean blinds.
Re-mulch flower beds.
Clean the car.
Laundry (or at least fold and put away).
Gather all old toys for donation to charity. All broken toys for disposal.

[nclover]

Wow, my list is getting longer! My sweet boy will thank you! I never realized how lousy at delegating I was! New Year's resolution...delegate!