tips for help around the house?

**Sara Noel** · 07-01-2007, 11:44 AM

I think a lot of members have frustrations with family that doesn't pitch in. Offer some tips to help get their family with the program.

**Cricket1** · 07-01-2007, 11:48 AM

I was just contemplating do up a chore chart for the kids. This topic is timely!

**Domestic Gal** · 07-01-2007, 09:52 PM

My Kids have standard chores they do daily/weekly. I still have to get after them to get them done but they do get done. They have been doing chores since they were about 4 or 5 years old.
They are wanting an allowance now for there chores so we will be thinking about it and see if it is something we think they need. If we do decide we will not be buying them anything extra, they will use there own money. If they want to go to the movies or anything like that they will be paying for it themselves.

**Neeley** · 07-01-2007, 11:31 PM

Mine have been doing some type of chore since they could walk. At first they had to put their toys away or take their dirty clothes to the hamper, simple things like that. As they have gotten older their responsibilities have increased. Now they are 11 and 14 and do almost all of the housework. They have certain chores that are done daily, weekly, monthly etc...They each have certain things they are solely resposible for. They are paid nicely for their contributions. Sometimes we give them cash and sometimes we buy them extra things they want and sometimes we take them out to do fun stuff. It really just varies.

Dh has always been one to pitch in as well. He does all of the laundry and ironing. He also is the primary one who cleans the bathrooms. He is not one to come home from work and just sit around. He helps with dinner, vacuums, or whatever.

**HandyMom** · 07-01-2007, 11:43 PM

Since I have a teen I've had to be creative on getting her to help out. I first of all made a brief list of chores that mostly involve her cleaning up after herself. I do not pay her, either and this list is posted all over the house so she can't use the excuse that she forgot. I also have her doing different things on different days ie: Wed, Fri, Mon vacuum the house and Tue take trash to the curb. I still have to remind but I also have consequences of NOT doing chores or leaving a mess, etc, so there is no arguing about why she can't use the phone or watch tv because it's all printed out on the list.

This doesn't always work (nothing is perfect) but it lessens arguments, nagging and excuses which is half the problem in our house.

**DJ1972** · 07-02-2007, 08:52 AM

My kids have chores they do because they are part of this family and we all have to pitch in. They also have "extra chores" (stuff they wouldn't normally be asked to do) that they can do for $, this is always a realistic amount for time spent doing the chore (comparable to minimum wage or a little less). I don't want my kids to think, "Why get a job? My mom pays me way better just to take out the trash!"