Chores?

[Anonymous]

How do you handle chores with your older Children?

Our 9 and 10 year olds do help around the house, make beds, set table, load dishwasher, and pick up. I wanted to make a list and assign them responsibility, maybe hang it on the fridge. I want to establish what is expected of them mainly so that I don't have to nag them all the time to do their chores.

I am curious of what other people do? Any ideas might be a help.

[Anonymous]

My family has chores they are responsible for, for just being part of the family. The older kids do additional chores as part of their allowance. My goal is to teach them that all members of a household are expected to help with household duties, but at the same time teach them the value of working for money.

We have a chore chart on the fridge with everyone's name on it, and assigned chores. This includes my husband and me. (I have, sadly, the most). The kids are responsible for things like making their own beds, keeping the bathroom straight (hanging towels, washcloths, putting toothpaste away properly, etc.), and emptying their trashbaskets on trash nights. They also have stuff like setting the table each night and rinsing plates and putting them in the dishwasher. Nothing huge.

For their allowance, they help by dusting and vacuuming, or sweeping the kitchen floor.

When they do their expected household chores, I praise them lavishly and they get a star sticker for each day/chore done. I rarely have to nag. I think the trick (at least for my kids) is to keep the chores at a minimum, and age-appropriate. They often truly enjoy helping out.

I don't nag on allowance-related chores. They just don't get allowance/or partial if they don't do them.

My (older) kids are 6 and 8.