Parenting Our Kids

Giving Time - Teaching Skills for Life

Chores for Kids

by Suzy

Chores for kids and More Yes, my children do chores, just like my siblings and I did as kids. Chores didn’t hurt me and I don’t think they will hurt my kids, either.
Unlike some other parents in my middle-class neighborhood, I am not giving my children chores as punishment, but as a means to develop responsibility and build character and pride.

Fortunately, my kids understand the importance of doing their assigned chores and for the most part, they do them willingly without much prodding.
When I was a very young child, I got paid a 25-cent allowance each week, as long as I made my bed, picked up my toys, dusted the living and dining room on Fridays, and helped my mom fold the clothes as they came out of the dryer.

As I got older, my allowance increased, but so did the scope of my chores. At age 12, I got $3.00 a week and was expected to continue doing the dusting and folding, as well as taking out the trash, feeding the parakeet and helping my younger brother with his spelling.

My own children are 3, 7 and 11. I started my two oldest doing chores when they turned 5. In the beginning, they were not paid any incentive – we explained that turning 5 meant they were now grown-up around the house to help with some of the chores.
Believe it or not, this positive spin on chores has made a big difference in their attitude. They have (for the most part) done their chores willingly, quickly and without complaining.
On occasion they balk, but this is mostly because they are overtired from some activity they were involved with at school.

My children do chores similar to what I did as a child: dusting, sorting laundry, cleaning their rooms, making their beds, taking care of the pets, setting and clearing the table, and helping rake leaves and pull weeds. When my oldest turns 12, there will be some new responsibilities added. And when my youngest turns 5, she will start with chores as well. In fact, she can’t wait to turn 5, because that means she is “all grown up.” I’m pleased with how my kids are taking responsibility.

I wish more parents would see that chores are a necessary part of growing up, and not “punishment” for kids who are already experiencing too much entitlement!