Can we talk chore lists everyone?

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2006
Can we talk chore lists everyone?
21
Tue, 02-26-2008 - 3:08pm

OK Alison's thingie got me thinking.
I frequently need to catch up on what I think or thought my DS is capable of doing to help out around the house. I found out yesterday that he can do laundry!!! I had kind of a brief epiphany like "wow I need to catch up with what he is capable of and make my life a little easier"
I mean, for some of us, we arent single moms to toddlers anymore and we are possibly driving ourselves CRAZY trying to get it all done.
SOOOOO - Can everyone list the ages of their children again and what they do as chores. I think we might all get some ideas and have a bit more time to read or just be us instead of running around like crazy cleaning ladies.

Here's mine
DS - 9 years old
He can:
vacuum
dust
do laundry
simple dishes ( still not comfortable with him doing knives - hello!)
groom the dog
sweep
mop
clean his room
strip sheets in the house for laundry
collect and take out trash
make school lunch ( I have a shelf dedicated to school lunch stuff)
make breakfast (simple)

Why cant I find more time for me with all of the stuff he can help with? Honestly it helped for me to write all of that out! I need to set chore schedule around here PRONTO!

Lilypie - Personal picture

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-15-2004
Tue, 02-26-2008 - 3:15pm
I dont have mine do anything really. Although she IS capable & once & a while she totally shocks me with cleaning up her playroom SPOTLESSLEY or something. She helps fold laundry occassionaly, she loves to load & unload the dishwasher or help me vacuum. But i should get her doing more.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-10-2007
Tue, 02-26-2008 - 3:22pm

Between my DD(13) and my DS(7) they should be able to help with a lot of stuff but they are so busy with everything else!

April

Avatar for myprecioustwo
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2003
Tue, 02-26-2008 - 3:33pm

I think Judy is going to have us beat! My kids SHOULD do stuff, but I can't get them to help much. Sometimes when I am at the brink of a nervous breakdown will they finally help, but otherwise, it's like being blue in the face. You can forget about taking anything away from them, because my oldest only studies and does homework and my youngest paints all day. Not like they watch TV, computers or anything. I never have anything to take away. GRRRR, and I can't keep UP! This is a touchy subject to me. LOL

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-11-2007
Tue, 02-26-2008 - 4:02pm

I will admit – I am SPOILED when it comes to this, at least as far as DD14 goes.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2006
Tue, 02-26-2008 - 4:13pm
Ok I just read an article on his last week and it recommended something I havent tried yet. I think I might though because it sounds like a perfect idea for my DS. The idea is to set aside a speed clean time. You can participate or not but basically you set the clock for 20 or 30 minutes and do a speed clean. You make a list of stuff that needs to be done first and then everyone participates. I think this would work very well in my small place. Anyone else think this might be a good idea?
I dont want things done sloppy though and fast to DS sometimes means halfa**ed!!lol
Lilypie - Personal picture
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-11-2007
Tue, 02-26-2008 - 4:19pm

I was just talking about this with a friend not that long ago.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-08-2007
Tue, 02-26-2008 - 5:07pm

Wow, good topic-


my DD was just ASKING me for a chore list last night!! Why you ask??? Because she wants to take on more responsibility and lend her ever eagar hands to help her mother?? Not! It s for the Money! She just found out that her best bud gets $10 a month if she does all her chores regularly.


So now I need to come up with a list appropriate for a 10, almost 11 year old...who sometimes has the attention span of a toaster.


I'm thinking laundry...hehehehe...OK that's just mean, as laundry is hated by me and would be cruel to put off on her at this young tender age, lol.


Maybe some dishes, straightening up her room more often, vacuumming, dusting and taking more care of the fish. I think that would warrent $10 a month IF she stays on top of it without my badgering!


So what do you all think is a good allowance amount?

~Pacific~
~Pacific~
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-08-2007
Tue, 02-26-2008 - 5:25pm

Oh I almost forgot! My DD cracks me up: Here's how her little genius brain serves her well at school.


The girl is too smart for her own good yet her desk is a SCARY MESS! So what does she do? They

~Pacific~
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-13-2005
Tue, 02-26-2008 - 6:09pm
We don't have a chore schedule. We don't have time for chores. I do something everyday to clean the house or do laundry - am totally flying by the seat of my pants. Don't expect DS to do much - he is strapped between his sports stuff, his homework and just being able to play outside a bit with his friends and be a kid. Sometimes he helps me. The only thing I expect is for him to clean his room and make his lunch. Pick up after himself when at home.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-09-2005
Tue, 02-26-2008 - 6:58pm

Here's my 2 cents...


I give my kids, DS7 and DD4, tasks to complete and I do give them an allowance.

Cat

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