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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Start chores early.  Preschool is a good age to start.  Have consistent expectations: Larla unloads the dishwasher (or part of it) every day, Larlo sets or clears the table every meal (or almost every meal).  Etc.  When it's routine, there's less fighting and yelling. [/quote]

+1 this is the secret.  Have them do it when they are in that "I want to help" phase (might even be the toddler phase).  I didn't do this with mine because they were so incredibly slow and bad at it, and I was overworked--so I wanted to get things done quickly/efficiently.  I thought, "I'll wait until they have better motor control, etc then teach them."  This was such a stupid mistake. You have to catch them when they are developmentally wanting to help.  Then they learn that they get pleasure (dopamine hits) from helping the group.

When they are fully capable physically--like when they are tweens or teens--is not the time to do this.  Mentally (developmentally) they are in rebellion mode, and the last thing they will want to do is learn some new chore.

Every thing I did with them when little...still works.  For instance, they want broccolini and yams every day.  It's their comfort food (Crazy, I know!) No electronics go upstairs, ever.  All homework is done at the family table.  It's their habits that you are instilling now.  [/quote]

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