Children's chores.

Wildsky

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Please tell me what chores your children do and how old they are.

My kids get away with doing almost nothing at all, and it is time it comes to a stop.

THey don't have lots of free time, but when they do they argue and fight with each other. They get home from school at 3:45, and don't often have homework.

Mine are 6 and 10 years old.
 

Henrietta23

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When DS (8) gets home from school he has to take care of his school things, collect eggs and then do homework. If he doesn't collect the eggs then I keep the money he makes selling them at church. That annoys him enough to keep him doing it. I may change the rule that I keep the money if he so much as whines about doing it....
He also picks up all the dog toys at the end of the night and puts them in the basket.
 

miss_thenorth

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I have a 12 and 13 (almost 14) yo.

They have certain chores that are set, and other ones are random, that need to be done when they need to be done. Set chores are: keep your room clean, keep your bathroom clean. Dishes alternating nights(we had them doing them together but that did NOT work, so they alternate). Put your dirty laudry in the hamper.Pick up after yourselves. empty you lunch pails, and put our backpacks away. Put your shoes and coats where they belong.

Random chores are: ds 13 when I come home from the feed store, he off loads the feed bags into the shop. When I need a new bag in the barn, he is responsible. DD 12, clean horse stalls as needed and lay down new bedding. fold laundry as needed. Summer, mow the lawn , they take turns, help move portable fencing.

Weekend chores, they help me with the housework, like vacuuming, cleaning toilets, sweeping and washing floors. Weekend barn chores, help clean out rabbit and quail cages, pick up dog poo etc.

Help with the processing of animals. IF dh needs help while working on something, a kid gets to help him (usually ds). That's about all I can think of right now. My kids are a great help around the house. I have certain responsibilities, so does dh, we are all part of this family unit, so all help with the smooth running of our house and farm.
 

Crusty McPottydoodle

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10 is old enough to run the vacuum or fold and put away laundry (not sheets or maybe towels, but certainly clothes).

6 is a good age for matching and folding socks.

They are both big enough to set and clear the table for meals.

10 is also big enough to help with dinner. Helping to plan dinner can make kids more enthusiastic about helping to prepare it.
 

Up-the-Creek

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I have a 6 yr old and a 13 yr old, both do chores. My DD who is 6, she keeps her room clean, puts her laundry away, and in general helps her dad and myself with any job we are doing at the time. My son who is 13, he feeds the animals, keeps water checked etc.,...keeps his room clean, puts up his laundry, he is in charge of pop can collection (he gets the money from that), he also in general helps his dad and myself when needed. They both have don't have much time to argue with anyone,..if they do, I find something else to keep them busy. ;) So they usually get along fairly well. :D
 

miss_thenorth

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Yes, my kids don't fight with eachother either, they work together and play together. They understand the importance of them helping out around here, and what's even better , they appreciate the work ethic they are learning. My dd has a friend whos mother does everything and the daughter does nothing. that girl lacks in self confidence, and is afraid to try new things, becasue she's never been taught to do things for herself.

If my kids ever say they are bored, I tell them I can find somethng for them to do. :D
 

big brown horse

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My favorite subject! :lol:

Starting at 5 she was in charge of cleaning her room all by herself and the standing rule is she can't go anywhere without a clean room. Every evening before bed I try to get her to do a quick 5 minute straighten. Once a week a deep cleaning.

My daughter has been in charge of feeding her horse and cleaning his stall since she was 8.

Starting about 10, she was also in charge of cleaning her own bathroom all by herself. (With vinegar and water.) She still does this once a week, or more if she is really messy in there.

Starting at the age of 12 she became in charge of feeding ALL the animals; 3 horses, 2 dogs, chickens, ducks, pig, cat and sheep. She does this every single evening all week long. Unless she gets invited over to a friend's house or has a school function or something important like that.

She gets paid $20 per month...less if she complains, more if she wants to make more by doing odd jobs like washing the car or something.

I supply her with the basic necessities, but anything extra she has to use her $20.

These days she will even do more than what is expected, like refill the feed buckets and hay wagon for me to use in the mornings. Or bring the piggy little treats even though she has to walk a long way to get to him.

ETA: She also does her own laundry and puts it away.
 

big brown horse

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I forgot to mention she also has been making her school lunches for the last say, 5 years?

She also loves to cook dinners.
 

Wildsky

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OMG my kids are spoiled rotten, and it will make them rotten if it continues...!

I did start teaching my son to cook last summer, I started him with ground beef, and then showed him how to make up meals with his cooked ground beef, like spaghetti, shepards pie etc. He was also loading the dishwasher everyday over the summer, so he can do it. I just feel bad/guilty asking him to do that when he has school all day. (don't get me wrong, I work as well, but from 8-1 each day)

Getting my kids to pick up after themselves is like asking them to shoot up with crack! most days I just find it easier, faster and less of a uproar to do it myself! I need to stop wanting things done my way, and just aim for them to get done.

I need to nip this in the bud before it gets totally out of hand.. I just can't do it all myself and serve them at the same time! :barnie
 

noobiechickenlady

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Similar to MtN, DS & DD both have certain things they do all week long.
Pick up their own room, toys, books, clothes.
They each wash dishes twice a week.
Clean their bathroom (DD did this of her own accord the other day, $1 bonus!)
Wash laundry, sort to be put away & put their clothes away.
They both take turns feeding the cats, they like doing that so they do it of their own accord. Usually racing to the bag every evening when the cats scratch on the door.
They keep an eye on the levels of food & water in the chickens' & rabbits' places & let us know if they need attention. They aren't quite tall enough to reach in & grab them or put them back. Once the chickens move outside, they will be able to handle feed & water.
They will also collect eggs when the hens start laying.
DD vacuums, DS runs over his toes so he picks up for her to vacuum.
They both help me or DH cook, the same night they are to wash the dishes.
They get paid for each time they do laundry duty ($2 each), wash dishes ($1), clean the bathroom ($1), vacuum ($1). They usually earn between $12 & $20 a week. Bonuses are given when they go above & beyond.
They have to save part (at least 5%), give part (10%) & the rest is for their use. They know if they want something special it comes out of their money, or if they want additional cash for certain events (Like a fair or circus) I give them $10, anything extra is up to them.
 
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