Everybody helps around our home for two reasons: We all use the home, so we all take care of it, plus if I don't teach my children these things now, how will they know what to do later? My hubby didn't have chores as a child and I had to teach him how to do everything when he went away to college 2 hours from home. He was actually quite grateful to me because his mom waited on him hand and foot and while he was fine with that growing up, he found it quite embarrassing as a young adult to not be able to take care of himself. So, my girls started chores around the home when they were 3 and 5. Little chores to start (feed the cat, set the table with silverware, put away your own socks and panties, etc). It's grown from there over the last few years and now they feed cats, empty litter, defuzz cats, clean mirrors, scrub toilets (surprisingly their FAVORITE chore), set the table, clear the table, dust, make their beds, fold and put away their laundry, etc. There are some they are required to do everyday (alternating whose job it is) and some that are only required once a week. I love how responsible my girls are and they appreciate me and what I do for them SO much more than most kids! I get a "thank you" for every meal I make them without prompting because they know it's work to put together a meal. Anyway, by 10 and 12 I'd definitely have my girls doing more. By the time I was that age I did quite a bit, but I know I also never felt "entitled" to anything - I know you don't get anything in life without working for it.

Well, based on what many of your dc do at even younger ages than my dc, I know my dc should be doing a whole lot more. Thanks for elaborating into all of your children's chores. I agree that the house is everyone's responsibility, but I have been way too relaxed with my dc in this area over the years. Because of this, they think that any little bit of work I give them is just sooo much. So now, as you can see I am reaping the consequences. Unlike many of your dc who have learned the value of good work I have neglected my responsibility in teaching this to my kids. When I tell my dc that I'm sure many of their friends have a decent amount of chores my older dd tells me of her best friend of whom she says does not have any chores. I do not know if this is absolutely true or not, not that my dd would lie, but she has not really asked her friend if there are chores done at her house or not. Thanks again!

Momma J4 - have your dc read these posts. Reading how much other hs dc do and the reasons we moms think its important may get through to her. Just a thought.

Aime

Actually, I thought I would show this to my dh and then relate these findings to my dc or possibly I may even have them read the posts for themselves. Thanks again, ladies!

As a single parent, having my dc help out with chores is a must. I take the Motivated Moms list and break it down for the three of us to do. My dc have been doing their own laundry since they were about 10yo...or whenever they were tall enough to reach into the washer and pull out their own clothes. That's the age I started overseeing them do it all. Before then, they would sort their clothes. Slowly, they'd also put them in the washer and add detergent, then they'd help transfer the clothes into the dryer. We each have our own assigned laundry day, so it works well. Other than that, they've been learning to do all the chores since they were little like others have said.