Do your children have to help around the house?

[foodiepep]

My kids do chores.  As they've gotten older they've been given more responsibilities.  Although, my 9 year old doesn't do much..I think it's because he's the youngest and is babied. Mine are responsible for their own room and the older 2 (14 &15) are responsible for the washing. 
Dinner is a combined effort and everyone has something to do whether it's top and tailing the beans to cooking the rice, white sauce etc in the TMX.
Youngest son does get to wipe down the kitchen cupboard and vanity and occasionally help with the kitchen.  He's good at setting the table and taking out the recycling. 
Eldest 2 also have their own bathroom(downstairs) so they are responsible for keeping that clean too. 

DH or I do the floors and bathroom upstairs.  Boys vacuum downstairs. 

They get pocket money and extra money if they mow the lawn. 
I feel that part of being a parent is to teach them how to take care of themselves and their belongings. 

[obbie]

Imagine if your kids never did chores, or helped at all.

When they moved out, it would be a shock for them. Teach them to cook, clean, sew, do minor repairs, ect...

[keiramax]

Obbie, I agree, as parents it's our responsibility to raise well rounded kids who know how to look after themselves.  Whether you call them chores, jobs, or just part of family life; whether they are paid, unpaid, expected or unexpected, they are all basic life skills.

[Amy :-)]

I think kids are very lucky these days, especially if their chores are all they have to worry about! My grandfather had to leave school and start working when he was only 10 years old to help support his family. He worked hard at his job every day, was abused by his step-father when he was home, and he and his many brothers and sisters lived on bread and dripping because that was all they could afford. My grandfather had 16 brothers and sisters.

If all you do to your kids is make them wash their own dishes and clothes, then I think they have it pretty easy.

[astarra]

I think kids are very lucky these days, especially if their chores are all they have to worry about! My grandfather had to leave school and start working when he was only 10 years old to help support his family. He worked hard at his job every day, was abused by his step-father when he was home, and he and his many brothers and sisters lived on bread and dripping because that was all they could afford. My grandfather had 16 brothers and sisters.

If all you do to your kids is make them wash their own dishes and clothes, then I think they have it pretty easy.

Wow Amy, your poor Grandfather. 
16 brothers and sisters!  That would take some support.

[Amy :-)]

I think kids are very lucky these days, especially if their chores are all they have to worry about! My grandfather had to leave school and start working when he was only 10 years old to help support his family. He worked hard at his job every day, was abused by his step-father when he was home, and he and his many brothers and sisters lived on bread and dripping because that was all they could afford. My grandfather had 16 brothers and sisters.

If all you do to your kids is make them wash their own dishes and clothes, then I think they have it pretty easy.

Wow Amy, your poor Grandfather. 
16 brothers and sisters!  That would take some support.

It makes me sad to think how horribly he was treated. My mum and grandma have told me stories of some of the things the step-father used to do... He was an evil man!
Since my grandpa was the third oldest he had to work to support the constant flow of babies that came after him. Its actually surprising how many of them survived to adulthood when you consider how poor they were

I can only ever remember the names of 14-15 of them though! I always forget one or two

[Bedlam]

my motto has always been if a job is worth doing, its worth doing well. over the years I have had to bend and sway with this ideal as I put away the dishes that my blind husband has apparently washed (telling myself that I couldn't be bothered doing them myself at that time etc). I used to let him hang my clothes up until he just wrecked them consistenly by shoving pegs in the middle and somehow there would be a big peg bulge on my boob, stomach or back cos he just hung them any old how - until I told him not to touch my clothes. Kids wouldn't let him touch theirs either for the same reason. I just do jobs that I can't bear others to stuff up, and I have to keep my lips sealed and deal with it. With regards to clothes washing my kids have had to wash/iron their clothes since high school as I got sick of the way they dealt with them. My ironing board cover says "I would rather go naked than iron". I have a clean tidy house, but I don't go overboard as I never let the house get to the point where it looks like it needs a good hard clean (except for the windows). I think kids have to be given responsbility for their things, whether its pets, clothes, or personal belongings. SIL probably thought she could comfortably say to you that you were harsh, but at the same time no one is perfect either in themselves or the way that we deal with parenting or our marriages. Even as our kids grow we have to make adjustments to our ideas, and learn to compromise with each other to make for a more harmonious life.


Cp i feel like you have been peeking into my life! , well before our foster family came to stay. ( its just chaos )I think with a carefree husband come other benefits. Much rather that than a army sargent.
My girls now have made a roster to help the house run more smoothly however i am thinking Chelsea is on the mark with a cleaning lady and i think will investigate today!
Ps i feel like an intruder on this site these day and am so looking firward to catching up with everyone in august.