I've noticed that now some parents in our country have begun to realize that they have let their children to learn to do some housework so that they can take care of themselves in the future. If my boy grows up at about 5 or 6 years old i also would like to ask him to share some simple housework which i think is good for him ? What about you ? Please share your opinion ?
[question posted by grace118224]
responses and comments:
I agree with you that we need to teach our children in the way they should go, so that when they get old, they will not depart from it. I have three kids and I'm teaching them some household work so that they can help me and in the future can handle it when they are on their own. As early as now, it is better to let them experience it rather than to be guilty because we have not taught them the rudiments of basic work... [learn2earn]
Yes they should learn to how to look after themselves from the very early beginning . [grace118224]
all of my kids have age appropriate chores to do around the house. The 10 yr. old vacuums every morning (part of a deal to get the kitty she wanted as well as changing his litter everyday)and puts the dishes in the dish washer. The 8 yr. old unloads the dishes and tidies up the couches and coffee table each day. It is also her job to wipe down the bathroom sink each night (there's at least). The 4 yr.old has to tidy up the stairs to the kids room (some how all torn up everyday!) and to feed the kitties and dogs every morning. They alternate nights helping me cook which is more a treat as they all love and fight over who get's to do it. It is important for them to do these chores not only to learn how to contribute to a house hold but to learn what must be done and how to do it in their own future homes. There is also the fact that they are learning that in life you must work, nothing is given to you. [OpinionatedLady]
Lol..it doesn't always work out that way and there was some whining to contend with, but hey it's life right? They had a great time at the park and swam until they just about fell asleep. [OpinionatedLady]
I absolutely think that children should learn to do basic household chores! I raised 2 boys and they always had chores to do around the house. I think that especially in todays world where it takes two people working to survive everybody needs to help with maintaining the house. [playapal]
Most boys i think in our country parents don't encourage them to do the household chores because there're many girls complaining about their hubby not able to help them in housework at all. Good to let boys to do the chores too. [grace118224]
Hello happy I always involved my children in household chores. When they were young and I was doing housework I would get them to tidy their toys in their rooms, help me empty the small waste paper baskets and put out clean towels. Just small things so they started to learn that it wasn't all done by the 'housework fairy' lol As they have now grown into stands them in good stead for looking after themselves and they tidy up without thinking about it. So I think it's a very good idea. happy [sunnysmiles]
Yes when they form a good habit from doing the housework from early beginning they won't feel any burden at all when they are doing it . [grace118224]
Well I have an 8 year old as well as an almost 3 year old. My oldest doesn't really like to help much. He is only asked to clean up the living room of toys and his room, but he complains a lot. He does like to vaccum though. So sometimes we let him help with that. The little one though loves to help me wash dishes. He pulls a bucket (that he uses as a stool) up to the sink and I give him his own bowl of soapy water and few spoons and maybe a plastic cup. He does a great job too. He also like to help me when I am cooking, although I don't let him near the stove, only stiring and such. He is a great help and crys if I dont let him. I think that assigning chores is a great way for children to learn responsibility and it prepares them for the work force later down the road. It teaches them that even if they don't like the work sometimes, they still have to do it. We give our oldest a small allowence, but only if he does his work like he is asked. So that will teach him to earn his money even if it means he doesn't always like it or want to. The kids growing up these days have it easy compared to a long time ago. At least they don't have to help wash clothes by hand or be out in the field harvesting and plowing! Great discussion. Have a Blessed Day. [mdrgsm]
You're right to say that assigning chores is a great way for children to learn responsibility . Some parents here also give some allowence when their children do the housework . But one of my collegue told me that her boy was too lazy and refused the allowence and he didn't want to do any household. [grace118224]
I think it is a good thing to have your kids do some light chores as long as they are age appropriate. It teaches them to fend for themselves and be responsible. As they get older you can also offer them a small allowance for doing the chores to teach them how to handle money. My girls are 6 and 4 and they have to help keep their rooms clean and their toys picked up and they unload the dishwasher. They do it as a team. I would like to work up a chart of jobs for them and then when they do their jobs they will get paid, but I think they need to be a little older to really understand that they get money and then can buy things. My 6 year old does, but the 4 year old won't quite understand yet. [ravinskye]
I really like the way you assign the housework to your kids. Work out a chart , giving out some allowence . i think i will follow what you do to your kids in housework. [grace118224]
It is a good thing to do, but the results really vary from kid to kid. Good luck. [ShellyB]
Yes some kids are more willing and some not. [grace118224]
I have never asked either of the children to help me with homework, however if they offer then I will definately assign them a task. The only responsabilities that they have are to keep their homework up to date, keep their rooms and their bathroom cleaned. Oh wait, there have been a couple of times in which they have been asked to go on "Pooh" patrol out in the yard, but other than that they are allowed to be kids. Have a great day. [dbabcook]
Thanks for sharing . Some kids are so nice that they would help a lot and i also meet some kids like that. [grace118224]
Yes, I ask my kids to help out with housework. I have 3 kids and they are all boys. My eldest is 7 the next is 3 and the youngest is just 6 months old. I ask my two older kids to help out in the household chores. Just the ones they can do, of course. My 7-year-old can help out by setting the table, tidying up his own room and stuffs like that. My 3-year-old I could just ask him to keep his toys after he plays with them. Giving them these simple tasks would give them a sense of responsibility and they could also feel important and needed in their own little way. Gradually, as they grow older, they could be assigned a much bigger task. The chores given to them should be, of course, appropriate for their age. This is not to punish them or to burden them, but this is to teach them so that when they grow up, they would already know what to do and they would already know how to take care of themselves well. [mistygirl17]
Thanks a lot for sharing your story here. I really learn a lot from the way you teach your boys . [grace118224]
Not enough, not enough, but yes we do ask them to help with certain things... [dawnald]
Doing housework is really just one of the lessons kids should learn. [grace118224]
My girls are 5 and 3 years old, I ask them to help with simple tasks like clearing their own toys the eldest makes her bed in the morning (something she likes to do helping mummy is fun for her) they know to take their own dishes into the kitchen when they have finished eating (although the three year old often needs reminding and i never force it as she is so little but she likes to help) They both need to learn what is involved in keeping a house clean and tidy etc and small simple chores like clearing up behind themselves are i feel an important part of their upbringing if we ever have a son he will be taught the same things also. [kezabelle]
Yes no matter boys or girls they should learn to do some housework so one day they form a family they will be more happy because they don't have to fight for the chores. [grace118224]
I tell you by experience do that. Cause here at home my mother didnīt tell men to do anything so even to wash the plate they ate in they donīt do. Not really because they donīt know but because they were not taught they should do so. Seems if they do it their d... is going to fall. That is ridiculous in my opinion. Everybody has to be as independent as they can nowadays. [deborahkat]
Yes in our country boys mostly are not asked to do housework and they are supposed to earn big money to support the whole family. So now you can see in one family the hubbies seldom do any chores with their wives complainning all the time. We really should change this attitude. [grace118224]
I have five adult sons. When I married it was the normal thing for a lady to leave work when married and look after the home. Very, very few married women worked and I knew no mothers who worked. I have never believed that a man's place is in the kitchen. A man works his normal hours, earning money to sustain the household. Apart from mowing the lawn, gardening and home maintenance, he shouldn't have to work in the house. My husband was a sugar cane farmer until we sold the Farm and retired 12 years ago. He worked long hours on the farm. When we married he possibly knew how to make a cup of tea, but that would have been his limit. I had no problem with that. Almost 50 years later, he does little more, and I still have no problem with it. Times have changed. Now, most married women work the same hours outside the house as their husbands do, so sharing housekeeping responsibilities has become the normal thing - and I agree that if both are working, both should share. I have five sons, all now adult and happily married. While, when they were young, I believed men had no place in the kitchen, I taught them EVERY housekeeping skill. Not only could they clean the house satisfactorily, they could cook extremely well, launder, iron, sew and knit. One, at about 12 knitted himself a fairisle jumper. Another entered a tapestry in the local show and won. No, they weren't hard done by or used as forced labour. They ENJOYED doing it. I enjoy exceptionally good health, but at one time, I had to stay in bed for six months. Two of my sons, then aged 10 and 8 did EVERYTHING in the house and enjoyed doing it. Today, their working wives testify that they are better at most things than they are. They share responsibilities and have very happy marriages. Go ahead and teach your children household tasks - but make it enjoyable, not a chore. In future, they will thank you for it, and so will their wives. [cloudwatcher]
It's true that nowadays women and men both go out for work . Some women in our country earn much mor than men. Well some men does do housework at home. Everything is different. I agree that in this situation they have to share the housework. Thanks a lot and good luck. [grace118224]
I think it's a good idea to let the kids do some of the hard work. It teaches them about responsibility and cleanliness. It can reduce your stress and use up any extra energy that kids may have. I supervise these little kids at this place I volunteer at, and often times, I'd actually see a few of them argue over who gets to sweep or vacuum the floor. They don't even wait for me to ask to clean up; they just know it's time to clean up and get the broom or vacuum. I have to actually tell them to share in cleaning up the room! [strikezero86]
You raised up one fresh point here that kids doing housework can reduce our stress and use up any extra energy that kids many have. I love this point. Good luck. [grace118224]
I grew up surrounded by helpers (we weren't rich, that's just the way it is here) and never learned to do housework. I paid for that when I started living on my own. Now, married with one daughter, I still don't have a helper (although tried having one a couple of times, with exasperating results - helpers nowadays aren't like what they were when I was growing up). I'll probably get a cleaning lady who can help out once a week or so, but I do the day to day stuff myself and am gradually training my child (almost) 3 to help out. I know the training will benefit her. [wahmivy]
It's expensive to have a helper at home to do all the housework. Well if i'm rich i will have a helper . But also i would ask my kids to help out. [grace118224]
Yes. that is IF they are capable of the job. carring the small trash cans to be dumped. Also some of the "lower" jobs can be given to them. Like wiping the baseboards. [General_Spacey]
Yes some parents would always be worried about whether their kids' hands will get dirty by doing these tiny chores so they don't want their kids to do such things. It's no good at all. [grace118224]
yea..i think it is a good thing..it's not like you are putting them in child labor or something..you are training them to be responsible [patofgold23]
Well responsibility do play an important part to one's life if they can learn it from doing the housework. [grace118224]
When I was younger I helped my mom with the housework she gave me specific chores to do each week. Once my son gets old enough I'll have him do chores too. Maybe like take the garbage out or sweep the floor [gelibean]
I didn't do much chores when i was young . My mom did it all for us and now i really feel regret not to have shared some for her. [grace118224]
Yes, I think it's important for kids to do housework. I believe it helps to prepare them for when they're out on their own. My husband's mother did everything for him and now he has no idea how to be on his own. It's the one thing that I worry about when I leave. him. [doglady112]
Now i've found so many new hubbies and wives who cann't do any housework at all. They are so spoiled when they are children . Therefore we have to teach our kids to do housework so that they can take care of themselves and look after others in the future. [grace118224]
My sisters and I always helped with chores growing up. It seems like common sense to me to teach children to help themselves. Lack of discipline leads to lazy individuals who would rather pay someone else to do everything for them. For me cleaning house is uplifting and refreshing. I want my children to feel the same way. To feel like they can do whatever task is pushed in front of them. Teaching them the skills to take care of themselves builds confidence. Wouldn't you agree? My sister can't cook anything past boxed macaroni and cheese because she slacked off on her chores. Now her son is raised on easy mac and fast food, and her dishes wont come clean without a dishwasher. My children will know a mother who can cook homestyle meals fresh from her own garden. They will also, learn to use a washing machine, vacuum cleaner, and how to properly clean their home. When they are older, they can help cook. (everyone starts with cookies! yay!) Teens love having their outfits handy, so make them wash it themselves. It doesn't take long and they'll be better for it. In high school I felt a little jealous. I did all my chores without allowance, but most of my peers got an allowance without sharing chores! Why is that? Even small children can help with chores. Make a game out of putting things where they belong. Where do shirts go? In the dresser/closet. Good job, now you earned the privilege of putting your hands into this yummy cookie dough! And since you helped make them, you get an extra warm cookie. (if you're worried about them eating too many sweets, cut your recipe in half) My friend's little boy adores vacuum cleaners. He's 3 now. Isn't that awesome? I bought him a real working miniature Dyson vacuum cleaner for Christmas last year and his little face just lit up. He drags that thing everywhere, especially when mommy is cleaning too! Unfortunately his older brother and sister don't share his enthusiasm. ha ha =) Maybe someday they will. Let's hope he never grows out of his love of helping out! [NekoWashu]
Many thanks for sharing your experience here. I think you are a great mother . My eldest sisiter is also lazy for cooking and she often takes her daughter to eat out which i think it's a really bad habit indeed. As you said above her daughter is lazy with the housework too. I will try my best to be such a mother just like you. Good luck. [grace118224]
Yes, it help them to learn and be trained so that when the time comes they can already do household thing even without you. Or should I say they will know what to do when they already get married. [gomaeann]
Yes it's very important to us and i hope every parent should let their kids try and learn how to take care of themselves by doing housework. [grace118224]
I think that parents are doing their children a big favor if they allow them to help out with houseworks. It'll teach them to become responsible and disciplined. Parents can start with simple housework like washing their own dishes after they eat. They can also ask their kids to clean their own room, feed their pets, or arrange and/or organize their toys. These are simple tasks actually. But later on, in their life, they become better persons because they don't have to relly on others. [Shebang]
I cann't agree with you any more. In fact kids are very willing to do some housework if parents have good ways to guard them. [grace118224]
I expected my kids to share in the housework. It was OUR home and not just mine. It was up to all of us to keep it clean and nice. Of course that at times meant some strange decorating. I came home one night and beanie babies decorated the place...just one example. I didn't change it up...at least not right away. It helped them feel part of caring for the house. Now they are grown and all but one has a spotless home. My 15 yr is still home with me and she doesn't have to be told to help....she just does. happy [sid556]
i will... they have to learn to be independent since they are young so that they can grow up to be independent person... otherwise, they won't be able to survive in this world... take care and have a nice day... [lingli_78]
Yes, definitely. Teaching them early also helps develop their character and will ensure they don't turn into slobs when they grow up. [misisbau]
I don't have kids right now, but I think letting/making them do chores at an early age is important. Of course they won't want to do things like clean their room, or vacuum the floors, but you can make things fun. Letting kids help with cooking meals is a great way. It teaches them how to cook these things they like, and at the same time they get to spend time with you. It may take a little longer, but if you're a parent, I would assume you would think it's worht it in the long run. [ProfOak]
yes, we are teaching the children to share in the housework. they help in sweeping the fallen dried leaves in the yard, sweep and husk the floor, wash the dishes. the 3 children alternately wash dishes after supper. funny, but this task always generates a little argument as to who was the last one who washed and who wasn't able to do it. [moneymakingtoday]
When I was a kid my mom used to approach me inorder to help her with her household works during my vacation and I would happily oblige to her request. Doing house hold works brought in a kind of brisk activity in me. I have not yet been married. But in future I'd like my kid to help me out in some house hold works. Have a great day and Hapy Mylotting. Cheers:-) [vinslounge]
Well, a family is a joint unit and we stick together.Usually, as the kids grow up, its natural for us to give them small chores.It helps in their growth and again their understanding and attachment to the family and house.I used to do(and still doing!) some of the housework .And it helps all of us.Thanks! [UltimateAsoka]
Hello grace. This summer vacation my teen son did a lot of cooking for the family as my wife and I were both busy fixing our house. He cooks well and I enjoy the dishes he cooks. He is simply great. If he does not know how to cook some dish, he will ask his mom for it. He is quite able to live alone if we happen to be out. Good for him. [williamjisir]
my son is 8 and i have him pick up his toys and games and put them away since he was little. i have to remind him constantly but he needs to know he has to pick up after himself. i taught him at an early age to put his clothes in the hamper when he takes them off and to put things in the garbarge when he is done with them and to put his plate in the sink when done eating. if the habits are formed young they will stick. as he has gotten older he likes to learn how to do things so he knows how to put the clothes in the dryer and i have shown him how to do a load of wash although i do not allow him to do that as of yet. he likes to use the swiffer sweeper to sweep the kitchen floor and the swiffer wet jet to mop up the kitchen floor. he feeds the dog and makes sure she has water in her bowl. mind you i have to do alot of reminding and requesting but he is learning life skills so he can take care of himself someday when i am not here. it teaches responsibility and a sense of accomplishment and pride in completing a task. [mikeysmom]
Its a good idea actually. Kids love to do differen things and are fast learners. If one is given an opprotunity to take up small chores for mothers, then I don't see anything wrong in it. But this should be either in the holidays or on weekends but no on school days when he has to complete his own homework and go to play with his friends. [rksbigblue]
I would definitely let my children help out in doing the house work. This way they will become a hard working individual in the future and they can become a great person someday. This will help build up their independence and their skills in doing household chores. [marctiu]
you're right!if i have a baby,i will let him/her know he/she is the member of our family .we should share the houseword.doing housework is not the duty of mother.in our country,the girls must do the housework.but the boys?they don't need to do houswork at all.this is the thought of local tradition.i don't like that!i'm a girl.my mother asked me to do housework,but my brother was playing the games.i asked my mother the reason for that. 'because you are a girl,your brother is a boy.you should do the housework',she answered me.i'm so angry about that!so i hope that all the woman don not be that like my mother. [Emon66]
My Mom raised me in a Military style setting where my brother and I had to take care of ourselves and be independent as much as we can. For the most part, we had to clean up after ourselves. Before the age of 10, we knew how to do our own laundry, wash the dishes, clean up after ourselves. We could also cook/ make some food on our own. We swept the floor, cleaned and set the dining table, folded laundry, did laundry, dusted our room, vacuumed and prepared our own things for school. Ironing was also taught at around 10 years of age but we only really ironed our own uniform full time in High School. Some people may say this is just too much but in High School, most of my friends didn't know how to take care of themselves like my brother and I did. I already could take care of myself even before I went off to college. While I was in college, most of my friends didn't know how to do their own laundry, much less cook their own food. I think a good way to start is to help set the dining table :-) and pick up after himself like tidy his toys or things after he uses them. [rg0205]
Hi grace, of course I expect my son to help around the house and learn some basic things otherwise he will grow up with no sense of responsibility and will end up a typical male burden of someone wanting his meals produced and his dirty socks picked up for him. Greek mothers do everything for their sons who are treated like little gods and are quite helpless which is why they have to live with mummy until they find someone else who can cook. My ten year old son can now iron, cook basic foods like omelettes, make his mummy a coffee (best thing he ever learnt) carry all the shopping to the house, take the rubbish to the bins, and put his own dirty plates to be washed. He is however still completely incapable of picking up his used towels and has been known to leave the odd sock lurking under his bed which must be a genetic thing with males I think.lol [thea09]
My kids started chores as soon as they could walk. They help me with dishes (messy but fun!) push in the chair at the table, pick up toys, etc. All with me, and we made games out of it, like counting the toys we picked up, or making rhymes out of the names - things like that. As they grew they used a rag and helped with dusting, or used their own little broom to sweep, helped me fold clothes (I had to re-fold most ). I figure these chores all need done anyway, I'd rather the kid works with me and we're playing learning games too, instead of me working and them watching TV. By 5 or 6 the kid had his own cores he was responsible for by himself. He put the Silverware on the table for dinner, or pushed in all the Chairs after dinner, and picked up his own toys and put them away. I figure the kid lives in and benefits from the house as part of the family, so he should also pitch in with the upkeep of it. [jashoaf]
My three year old son is still at the age that he wants to do anything I do. He helps load and unload the washer and dryer, wash dishes (nothing sharp or glass!) sweep the floor, make the beds, you name it. The results aren't always perfect, but I think it's better to let him help since it's fun so that later he may still do these things without much complaint. Just yesterday I needed to mop the kitchen, so I got out our swiffer for him and the mop for me and we got the kitchen floor mopped. At first I found myself wishing he'd just go play elsewhere, but as it turned out, he actually did a really good job helping and the floor looked great. [subearthancottage]
Your boy is so cute to help . I've found that kids at very young age would be more willing to do what parents ask them to do . When they are teenagers they have a lot of other things to be busy and they become lazy with the chores . Therefore it's really good to let the kids form some habits to do the housework from their childhood. [grace118224]
Hello Grace, This is a nice discussion. No doubt parents can always ask the kids to help up in doing some simple house works. When I was 8 years old, I have started to help my mom to do house works. I have to sweep the floor everyday. Then when I grow bigger, I need to help my mom to wash the clothing. There was the time we did not have washing machine at home, sad. And now I have married and I live with my hubs and my kids. Everyday I have lot of house chores to finish. No harm to ask our kids to help out with the house works. But my elder kids is only 3 years old now, I think I have to wait some few more years then I will have a little helper to help me. For now, when I busy with my house works, my daughter is willing to help me too. When she sees me sweeping the floor, she insist wants to get my broom to sweep the floor. rasp. I hope when she grows up, she will offer to help me too. [vingyan06]
I can feel the sweetness expressed here by your wording. Yeah kids helping out with chores are quite sweet and by doing chores they can grow up well. But it's a pity that here in our country most parents don't know about this and they tend to spoil their kids and don't teach or ask their kids to do any chores. [grace118224]
When I was growing up I use to have to help with the housework. I also had my son help some when he was growing up. When they grow up and move away from home they will know how to take care of their house. It also is a good idea to teach them how to cook so they can cook for themselves too. [happy6162]
You're doing quite right here. I've found that in most of families in our country with a only son the boy can't do chores at all . Their parents cook for them forever . It's so sad. [grace118224]
When my children were still at home every saturday morning once i woke up it was house cleaning time. My children are grown now. My son doesnt care about being messy. My daughter cleans and her kids also help her do cleaning. So there you go. Children both taught to clean. One does and the other does not. It couild go either way. Anyway at the time i figured they messed the place up so they can clean it. [jdyrj777]
My children WERE young when i started them doing housework. I have pictures of my daughter vaccuming when the vac was still taller than her. They are both adults now my son is sloppy and my daughter is and always has been a neat freak. Recently in a discussion i had with my daughter she told me her brother would always con her in to doing his portion of the house work. Although he never paid her like he said he would. She would fall for it everytime because she liked to clean. So in conclusion to all this it appears to me that cleaniness or sloppyness is not somethin g taught. Teaching could end up either way. Depending on the personally. [jdyrj777]
Definitely! It's a great way to build some sort of responsible behaviour in children and it helps to banish certain stereotypes like boys should not do 'housework', girls must only do 'girly' stuff and other silly delimiting way of thinking. In addition, it helps mom and dad to some free time, even if it is just for a moment and help kids not to be lazy. [mystiquejjj]
My brother-in-law never does housework at all because he thinks that boys should not do housework and girls have to do all the chores . I think he is totally wrong. Still there're many parents think that way and they won't ask their boys to do any chores with a result that their spoiled sons cann't take care of themselves at all. [grace118224]
My kids are all grown now but when they were home, they had to help. My daughters did the dishes my step-son had to take out the garbage. They all had to pick up after themselves and keep their rooms clean. Honestly, I didn't make them do enough, my daughters are both lousy housekeepers. My step-son, however, keeps his home clean, he likes a clean home and keeps himself neat and clean. My grandchildren, while here, are expected to pick up after themselves and they are asked to help me while I'm cleaning. I don't ask a lot but what they do, really helps me. I believe that children should be taught to clean a home, it teaches them responsibility and they won't be slobs when they get out on their own. [tcup345]
To be honest before my marriage i don't help my mom much for the housework . I feel guilty now. [grace118224]
My children are teenagers. of course i ask them to help out with some of the housework. That doesn't mean they are always agreeable to the task though. After all, don't they live in the house too? Parents should not be slaves and children are not guests in the home. Everyone should work together in the household to make it a happy one. [sender621]
If the parents become slaves to their children, the children, in my experience, turn into spoiled brats. I've seen it happen time and again. The parents can't do enough or buy enough for their kids, the kids are brats. They have no respect for anyone, they believe they are entitled the all they want. I'm afraid that by giving too much to our kids, too much of our time, too much of our money etc., we are raising kids who will not be able to be independant and responsible as adults. On the other side of the coin, I've seen too many kids raise themselves, both parents work and have no energy for their kids, or there's only one parent who has to work and that parent has no time for their kids. There are no values being passed onto our children, as a result we have kids turning to drugs and violence. These children have no respect for anyone nor any compassion, they are self-centered and selfish. We need an even balance, giving old-fashioned values, caring for other people, self-respect, self reliance and a sense of responsibility. I'm sure I've left out a lot but the gist of it is that we are not teaching our chldren the things our parents and our grandparents were taught and taught us. We may regret this. [tcup345]
I think children should have chores to do as soon as they are big enough. My grandson who is 5 has been taught he has to pick up his toys so he's real good about it. He is always wanting to help me do something & of course i think so is soo sweet, lol. both my sons were given chores to do when they were small, it may not be there favorite thing to do but they both know how to clean up the house, wash clothes, cook & keep the yard. They need to know how to fend for themselves. [ANTIQUELADY]
Yes . I will also give some chores to my son when he grows up about 2 or 3 . [grace118224]
100% , this is the best way to teach them responsiblty. Even the fact that most chores, will need a second re do , thats ok. For example, if a child helps clean up the tv room, they will think twice about messing it up. It doesn't happen over night, but it helps. It also make your family feel like a team. [casky1972]
Yeah they would behave better after they get to know the hard working. [grace118224]
I have four daughters, all of which help out with household chores. They alternate between who does what so that they do not get bored with what they are doing. I have always felt that they needed to learn, so that they will be prepared when they are grown with a family of their own. My parents let me off easy...I never had to do any chores...so when I became a wife and instant mom to three I was lost. I didn't know what to do or how to even think about beginning it. I don't want that for my kids. If I have anything to say about it, they will be prepared to take on the job of being wife and mother when their day comes. [tonika1980]
Your daughter would be appreciated when they form their own families , i think. [grace118224]
This is one thing that should not be avoided if you want a better future for your kids.... I have a son and I make sure that if he is invoved in house work and if not I advice him how important it is ..... But some of my neighbours keep their kids away from house work saying that it will effect their studying and people will think bad about them....eventually most of these kids grow to be very lazy and hard to handle type of ones. [Misterwit]
In our country now it's very hard to find a school boy or girl doing housework at home. Same case as you mentioned about your neighbours parents here keep their kids away from house work because they think it will effect their study . [grace118224]
I do feel you are right about giving the young ones some experience in housework. Self reliance is something everyone should learn, and sooner the better.My daughter is 7 years old and she does help her mother and me in whatever chores she can handle around the house. This has helped her become more confident and self reliant. [abhikmjmdr]
I would let my children do some housework,as long as i can see that they are fit to do that specific work.this would make them prepared on growing up and being responsible. but we don't have to seriously impose it on them since they are just a child. [simplicable]
My kids are eight and ten and I have them doing two chores a piece. First off they both must pick up their rooms and then my ten year old son must take out the recycles daily and then pull the garbage to the curb on the day it goes out, my eight year old daughter has dish duty...she must fill the dishwasher after dinner. I don't think that a few chores hurts, I feel that it even helps to teach them a bit of independence and discipline. Of course the kids don't really like it but i think when they get older they will, I realized a few months back that I "babied" my kids a bit too much and that they needed to deal with a little bit of independence. At the ages of eight and ten my kids didn't have to do much of anything..we would cook, cut and serve them their food..we would fill their tubs and wash their hair and I am a clean freak so I was picking up their rooms and making their beds for them every day. We once realized that they weren't able to do much of anything without our assistance and we knew that that had to change not so much for us but for them..I would feel like a terrible parent if i were to send my kids out into the world with them not being able to make their own bed or make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Times are so different from when I was young...I was cooking for myself and walking to my friends half a mile away for the day at the age of ten but now a days with all the scary people you have to be so protective of your child and at times I think we all may be to protective. [froggieslover]
yes,I agree that spoiling children do harm for them actually,and by contrast learn to do some housework do good for them.but the housework they are arranged to do shouldn't be too hard or too boring for them.anyhow,kids are kids. [CathyLee2009]
My daughter is 6. She has been doing chores around the house for about a year. And she earns an allowance for doing so. She helped with the dishes last night. And she feeds the dog in the morning and afternoon. She also keeps her room picked up. [ersmommy1]