I like the idea of kids learning responsibilities, and that everyone does their bit. To me this helps us raise kids that do their bit, then adults that do their share, rather than be lazy…. additional chores for a small sum isnt a bad notion either…it all adds up, but chores in exchange for pocket money, especially in these cash-strapped times, isnt something that I’d consider for my family. However this is only me, every family is different, with different circumstances.

I agree with so much of this. If we do everything for them, just out of habit, we raise lazy kids that take no pride in their surroundings.

I’m relieved to see some of the toddler chores are ones we’re already doing!

My kids didnt have chores as such but they were supposed to keep their rooms tidy and put their clothes out to the laundry. Things like that. They were taught to be responsible for themselves. They didnt get pocket money either but if they were going somewhere and needed money it was given to them.

when my son was younger he did little jobs like put his toys away. now that he’s older, he puts the washing away, puts the dishes away. etc.

My 3 and 5 yo loves helping setting up table and doing things in the garden…also some cleaning but not always

I get my kids to do a lot of those and I do pay them, but they need to actually do it. They also have a rewards chart. I think it’s important that they get the idea of earning and saving money.

I don’t like the idea of paying kids for doing task around the house. It will make them expect money for every thing they are doing.

I grew up having to do chores set by my parents and there was no such thing as pocket money (not enough $$ for them to spare). I believe kids should be helping, without getting paid for it.

I missed the boat. We paid our son for chores but it hasn’t translated into him doing chores as a young adult.

My sons are 2.5 and starting to help with little things like putting rubbish in the bin and getting me things. They will not pack their toys up though ugh.

My children have always been taught to help out. When they were old enough, I implemented the routine that when you were finished playing with something you packed it up before getting the next thing out. I am guilty however, of creating a jobs chart when they got older that helped them earn some pocket money. I believed it would help them to learn that if they wanted something they had to work for it. They had set jobs that were expected to be done every day but then they could earn extra money for doing extra jobs. It was never a lot of money, for example, folding a load of washing or unpacking the dishwasher got them 10 cents & vacuuming scored them 20 cents. It might seem like a ridiculously small amount of money but it was started 15 years ago & by the end of the week it really did add up. It worked perfectly right up until they got their first jobs & then the chart lost all its power

I totally think its important to get kids to do chores around the house, both paid and unpaid. I think that as a family we all need to help around the house.

My 11 year old daughter is in charge of folding and putting away her and her younger brothers laundry. She unpacks the dishwasher, makes her own school lunch each day to mention a few.
My 5 year old son also helps putting away the laundry, helps outside in the garden. He’s still at an age where he just LOVE’s helping me around the house.

My daughter has a Spriggy card which is a great way for her to earn money for doing jobs around the house.

Definitely think it’s important for kids to have chores/jobs around the house.

I’m about to start a reward chart for my eldest son. I plan on having 3 things on it that he has to do everyday and he will get a sticker for each one he does. If he does his 3 tasks everyday for the whole week then I will reward him with something small. I’m doing this because his reaction to being asked to pick up his toys is frustrating and kinda hilarious. He needs to learn that he has to clean up after himself and its everyone’s job to keep the house clean and tidy. One of his tasks he already does and loves doing it, the second one he does maybe 70% of the time and the third he throws little tantrums about. Im hoping the stickers and little reward will stop the tantrums.

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  • • Ellen replied
    • 19 Jun 2021 , 6:15 am

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  Yes I did reward chart with one of my kids too, it didn’t work very well though. But each child is different ! Hope it works with your child

These are all really great ideas that I will definitely be trying. Although, it is so hard to turn in into something fun and not a chore so they actually participate and do as they are asked to do.

Great ideas!

Another way I use doing chores is as community services. My 11yr old has Kleptomania and when she steals something and can’t pay back, she’ll have to work for it. We have stopped giving her pocket money as she owes us thousands of dollars. Normally you would expect her to pay back when she steals something, but when she can’t because she doesn’t have any money then she’ll have to do community services. At school they’ve now implemented the same rule, which I found good as it also mirrows society. As when you get fined and can’t pay you may get imprisoned or have to do community services.

We don’t pay for chores, as doing chores is part of life and is a matter of developing life skills and taking responsibility. However my teenagers often make deals with my husband; he buys them something and they do extra chores (things they usually don’t do).
The other day I did the same. My son (15yr old) ran out of pocket money to buy food for his mice. I bought it for him whilst he had to do an afternoon of weeding for me in the garden.

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  • • Ellen replied
    • 16 Jun 2021 , 4:23 am

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  Thinking back I had as a kid far more responsibilities than my kids have. It was daily doing the dishes, drying them and tidying them away, clean the counters and cupboards, hanging the wash out in the garden, getting the wash of the line and folding the wash, helping in the garden, helping my mum scrub the carpet (by hand), helping with cooking & baking, besides of course keeping our rooms tidy.
  We could earn some extra for washing the car or cleaning out the garage.

I love having my kids help, it reminds them to take responsibility of their belongings too