Do your kids have set chores?

My son's only chores are to take out the trash and feed the dog. I like to keep the emphasis on getting his homework done. I figure at 11 he's got plenty of time to learn the responsibility of getting things done around the house. Right now, I just want him to stay on the right track when it comes to his schooling.

My older kids (7, 6 and 5) do have chores but no set time or day they have to do them...just when I ask. Well they have to keep their room straightened up so a few times a day I go up and check and make them put things away they aren't playing with. They have to put their dirty clothes in the hamper and on Sunday my son (6 1/2) brings it down to the basement so I can wash it. When the clothes are washed and folded they take them up to their room and put them away by themselves. If I need them to they unload the dishwasher, either as a team or one at a time (depending on who I ask and what else they are doing). They sweep the floor (the older 2 while the younger one holds the dust pan). They dust with a swiffer duster when ever I ask. My son takes the trash out to the alley. They take their dirty dishes to the kitchen/sink and clean off the table where they were eating. They do a lot of chores that are just built into the day. I don't even think they realize they are doing most of them. Besides those they are responsible for themselves (brushing hair and teeth, bathing themselves, doing homework, etc). And they help take care of their baby sister who just turned 2. The girls (7 and 5) will change her diaper. My son gets her breakfast and lunch (he really likes to do this and is always coming to me to ask if he can get a snack or something for her) and helps her get dressed. They all help her keep her toys picked up. The only one they usually balk at doing is picking up their room and if they don't they don't do anything else until it is done. They have been known to just sit in their room for hours on end refusing to clean up. It has been routine since they were toddlers that they had to get their room straightened up before they can eat (putting away any toys and books they aren't playing with and clean up any big messes). So they know when it gets close to eating time they have to hurry and clean up their room or they don't eat until it is done. The only other punishment we hand out for not doing chores is no computer or TV the rest of the day. That goes for if they keep whining while doing chores (and is almost always just my oldest daughter--the others don't usually complain). It has taken about 2 years to get them into this routine of just doing stuff when I ask without complaint (well some complaining but not much). It doesn't always run really smooth but they are doing pretty good with it. Now the 2yo is starting her chores. She has to help put her toys and clothes away and help clean up the living room, take her dirty dishes to the kitchen, help unload the kiddie plates and bowls from the dishwasher and put her dirty clothes in her hamper.

My daughter would have the responsibility of doing the dishes and keeping her room clean. She also had to help with the laundry. I cleaned the tub and toilet, but she kept the sink clean. Now what you can do is make a chart for their chores, put their names going across and the chores going down or vise versa. Everytime they do their chores they have to come get you and show you and then they can put a star or smilie face by their chores that are done and that is how you can keep track of what is done and then you can give them their allowances for a job well done. See they get paid only if they go get you and show you it is done to mark the bord. Good Luck ~Icy~

When we don't have a household help, that's the time I set some chores for my two kids. But with 2 helpers around, they don't do much as both are working already...they're ages 25 and 22, but still single and living with me. My daughter washes her own clothes lately, and cleans her room as well as help me with re-decorating our house from time to time. My son's online job keeps him glued to the computer all day, so he does not have much time to do chores, but he cooks on very rare instances. When we did not have helpers, we take turns in cooking...me in the morning, my son for lunch, and my daughter for supper...but since my daughter is a lousy cook, my son still takes over cooking in the evening...LOL! My son also feeds our two dogs, and we just bring to the laundry shop our clothes.

My kids are 5, 10 and 12. They all have one chore a day M-F...weekends off! :) The chores are set age appropriate and each time they do a chore they recieve a ticket. My youngest gets $2 for 10 tickets saved. My older two can do the same or they can save 20 tickets for $5. They also have ways of earning extra tickets. Good grades, extra chores, behaving well at the store, behaving in the vehicle, and several other things...But, they can also lose tickets for not doing the chores or for not following the 5 house rules we established as a family. :) It seemed like it was going to be hard when we started this system but it actually works really well.

I do not have kids I'm afraid so I can not answer on that front, but I can comment from the other side - I was a child who had chores and I can honestly say it did me so much good. I think it teaches you responsibility within a really safe environment and obviously it helped my mum out a lot.

My children are only 4 and 2 but they do have little things they have to do they both have to tidy their toys away I will help the youngest but she has to do her share, they take their plates and cups out after dinner also and help tidy any mess they make upstairs. The eldest loves helping dry the pots and put them away I let her and make the most of it while she is willing no doubt in a few years il be nagging her to do and she certainly wont be showing the same enthusiasm

my daughter is now 6, but she has had her own chore chart since she was about 2 1/2. I strongly believe that children should have chores! Seeing my daughter and seeing my friends children that do not have chores i can see the difference and i believe that having chores as a child helps mold them in to strong independant people who problem solve by themselves

I have 3 kids and they all have set chores. I use a reward and denial system. My 11 year old daughter is responsible for switching laundry, dishes, and cleaning the shower in their bathroom. My 7 year old son is responsible for kitchen trash, picking up the living room, and collecting cans thruout the house.My 5 year old son empties the small trash cans, and wipes down the toilet and sink in their bathroom. All three are expected to make their own beds, clean their rooms, and put away their laundry, daily. I check that everything is done and mark done(good or bad) on the calendar. If they don't do chores then they are denied luxuries like the computer, phone, friends, and tv; just depends on the extent of it. When they go 14 days straight of doing chores without being told they each have their own rewards that they get. They actually do really well. Once in a while my daughter,who is in the fun stage, will think she is better than her brothers and try to talk them into doing her stuff, but it doesn't work very often.