Chores.

are you girls going to have set chores for your children? Do you think children should HAVE to have chores? What chores should they have to have? And at what age will you start which chores? Or do you think that doing the housework is up to the parents? Also, what do you think about allowance for your children doing their chores (if you chose to set chores for them).

I don't think it's ever too early to expect kids to do things for themselves. My two year old clears his spot at the table, puts his dishes next to the sink and cleans up his own room. My five year old does the same, plus is responsible for his own room, the cleanliness of his bathroom sink (because he spits toothpaste EVERYWHERE) and makes his bed (albeit poorly) every day. I don't do an allowance- I'd rather start them out understanding that they need to be responsible for their toys and their rooms without handing out a reward. They both also like to be involved in "work" whether it's helping me sweep, throwing laundry down the stairs or using the Swiffers to dust the furniture.

Quoting jnazmom:“ I don't think it's ever too early to expect kids to do things for themselves. My two year old clears ... [snip!] ... involved in "work" whether it's helping me sweep, throwing laundry down the stairs or using the Swiffers to dust the furniture.”

I totally agree with you. My two year old is expected to pick up after herself, make sure her shoes are where they belong, dirty clothes in the laundry room, etc. I don't make her vacuum... yet =] But as long as she's doing for herself, then no, I won't do the allowance thing. But if she starts doing dishes or laundry [when she's older of course] for everyone, then yeah, she'll get one. To me, its only fair. My mom made us do it and I turned out alright, so I'll do the same.

I definitely agree that children should be responsible for their own things, like their dishes, their shoes, backpacks,picking up their rooms, making their beds etc. It teaches responsibility at a young age.

What do you guys think about the people that have farms and have their kids out there all day helping with that? Do you think that should be solely the parents responsibility or do you think they should have to help?

Quoting Beth [due 12-25-08]:“ are you girls going to have set chores for your children? Do you think children should HAVE to have chores? ... [snip!] ... parents? Also, what do you think about allowance for your children doing their chores (if you chose to set chores for them).”

My kids have chores, and have had starting at about 2. Nikolas has a much longer list than Rachel, obvicously, but she is still learning. Hes 8 and has to put dishes away, do his own laundry, has to keep his room clean (by MY standards not HIS), clean the yard, feed and water the dog, take the trash out and those are just his DAILY chores... He has extra Saturday chore bc thats the day we do our major whole house cleaning. Plus I expect him to be helpful in general... Rachel gets assistance with hers while we teach her the right way to do things, but she is supposed to clean her room, put trash bags in the cans after her brother takes them out and give the dog his "good boy bone". She will try and help w/everything else too. LOL We only pay the kids for extras, not the chores they do bc as part of the household they have responsabilty to help the household run smoothly. We also usually pay them in activities or special presents... Kids choice. If they want cash they can negatiate a payment based on the work put in.

Quoting Beth [due 12-25-08]:“ I definitely agree that children should be responsible for their own things, like their dishes, their ... [snip!] ... day helping with that? Do you think that should be solely the parents responsibility or do you think they should have to help?”

I think kids have a certain amount of responsability towards the household and family, no matter if they are city kids or country... So, yeah I think they should help.

Re: Allowance- it may sound horrible, but I don't think I'll do an allowance until my kids are old enough to go out with friends and will need/want their own money to buy lunch or a toy or something like that. And then it's a few short steps to the wonderful world of gainful employment!

Quoting jnazmom:“ Re: Allowance- it may sound horrible, but I don't think I'll do an allowance until my kids are old enough ... [snip!] ... to buy lunch or a toy or something like that. And then it's a few short steps to the wonderful world of gainful employment!”

Yeah, I'm not positive what I think about allowance but right now I dont think I will be giving my children allowance. If they need money I will give it to them. If they need new clothes I will buy them, if they want to go out to the movies or something I'll pay for them. I will probably give them a set amount per week for lunch and such at school too. I don't think there's really a point to give allowance for doing your chores when they're more than likely going to need more money than that anyways lol.

Quoting Beth [due 12-25-08]:“ I definitely agree that children should be responsible for their own things, like their dishes, their ... [snip!] ... day helping with that? Do you think that should be solely the parents responsibility or do you think they should have to help?”

I think they should help... when I was 10 we had livestock. My chore was feeding them every morning before I left for school. That meant being out there at 5:30 am no matter the weather.

I think if the household is benefiting from the farm, then the entire household should help out. I don't think parents should try to work their kids to the bones but the children should be pulling their weight.

Quoting Beth [due 12-25-08]:“ are you girls going to have set chores for your children? Do you think children should HAVE to have chores? ... [snip!] ... parents? Also, what do you think about allowance for your children doing their chores (if you chose to set chores for them).”

Yes, my children will have chores. It teaches responsibility and how to take care of yourself. They wont be excessive and they will be appropriate for their age.

Basically, picking up and cleaning their room and helping with some things around the house. I dont believe in having your child do so many chores that they dont get to enjoy being a kid, but enough that they have a sense of responsibility.

Quoting Beth [due 12-25-08]:“ I definitely agree that children should be responsible for their own things, like their dishes, their ... [snip!] ... day helping with that? Do you think that should be solely the parents responsibility or do you think they should have to help?”

I think they can help, just like they help around the house, but the parents should be shouldering most of the work. If that is how they are earning a living, then they need to do the work. Parents that work in offices dont make their kids come to their job and do work.

Quoting Beth [due 12-25-08]:“ are you girls going to have set chores for your children? Do you think children should HAVE to have chores? ... [snip!] ... parents? Also, what do you think about allowance for your children doing their chores (if you chose to set chores for them).”

My daughter is 5 years old and she has to pick up her room every night before bed. She also helps folding the clothes and picking up the living room. I believe that children should have chores. It teaches them responsibility. She actually likes folding clothes, which totally works out for me since I hate doing that. As far as allowence goes she does not get one for now. I find that they need to learn that they should clean because someone has to. When you are an adult you do not get paid to clean your room or do the dishes. I will probably give her an allowence when she is a bit older so that she can learn about how to spend money and what it is used for.