When do you think children should start doing chores?

I raised 5 kids. I found if I did everything for them, they expected it. When my kids spilled something, I handed them a rag and asked them to clean it up. As for chores, I believe a person feels their worth if they are productive and a part of the family if they contribute in the care of the home. I believe that the more you do for a person, you take away their power to change.~~Max

I think they should start doing chores at a young age, even if it's just taking out the rubbish to the bin, or making their bed, simple things like that. You can start as young as six or seven, because they all have stuff to do in school and it teaches them to organise themselves and get into a routine. Washing up and stuff like that needs to be introduced a bit later, but certainly, a six or seven year-old can be taught to respect his/her room, by tidying it each day and putting stuff away, making their bed (which only entails pulling up a duvet in most cases, and taking out rubbish. I say start early and increase with age.

I am not sure there is a set age my 4 year old helps me around the house, he will help gather the trash unload the dishwasher, sometimes he helps vaccume his room

My kids, now 14 and 11 have been doing chores since they were mobile...they were included in anything I could even if there weren't helping and then later when they could and often they would fight over who would get to help momma...it was fun until they approached teen hood and now things get done however slower and with discussion often..LOL..talk about the good old days...would not trade the memories for anything in the world. Thanks for asking this question!!

I think it is ok to start your children young with chores. took a class that covered this topic in depth in college and I really learned a lot. When my baby turns 2 I think we will start her with chores, although she is very helpful already at 1. Very young children can learn to put their toys away and clean up their rooms. Children want to help if you ask them. When my baby turns 2 I will teach her how to clean base boards, I'll give her a rag and let her wash the baseboards. They may not get very clean with a 2 year old doing it, but the point is to teach good work skills when they are young so they will be successful as they get older. The key is to make it fun. We will sing songs as we work together. When we start doing dishes together we will play with the bubbles while we work. The work won't get done and quickly and efficiently as it would if you do it yourself, but that's ok. a home should look like it is lived in anyway, and the relationship and teaching experiences you are having with your child as you work together are priceless.

My daughter is akmost 2 and she has two chores, to pick up her toys before bedtime and take her plate ot the kitchen after eating. She gave herself these chores as she sees her brother doing them. Children should start doing chores by first helping you when they are as young as possible then it will be in their blood to have things a certain way. if you just tell your 7 year old to make his his bed after you have done it for him for years he will obviously refuse, but if you do it with him everyday from the time that he can, it will be easy for him to take over when he is a bit older. And it wont be a chore. It will just be somethng you do evryday.

Children should start helping out whenever they can. Since really youg children (aged 2 or so) like helping Mom out, they should. Their "chores" can be helping put laundry away, picking up their toys, and other things a small child can do. As they get older more chores should be added on to their list.

My kids are 6, 5 and 4 and they have chores. They have to clean their rooms before we eat, put away their clean clothes and help in any other way I ask. My son (the 5 year old) has started taking the trash out when I ask him. My 6 year old daughter does the dishes sometimes. The 4 year old doesn't do much yet. She just doesn't have the coordination to do bigger chores. She does clean the tables with wipes for me when I ask. They don't usually do their chores willingly, though. They put up a big fight about it, especially the oldest. But usually they get it done. My mom never made me do chores and like someone else said I wish she had now. I hate doing chores, but I hate a messy house, too. It causes a lot of conflict within myself. I keep thinking my house should look the way my mom's did yet I don't want to clean it because I never had to do that, lol. It is hard to convince myself that what I do is enough for our family.

Personally I think that a child can start doing chores as soon as he/she can get toys out of the toy box. When it's time to stop playing encourage the child to help pick up the toys and put them into the toy box. They can also put their dirty clothes away at bath time. Your friend is not doing her son any favors. Kids start learning a work habit at very young ages They need to feel they are contributing for good self esteem.

I think its up to the child choice ! let them know ho to decide and to make Desicions.

i have a 5 year old and he cleans his room

I think, it is good if they can start doing chores when they're young... Young children can learn very fast and they have great memories.. They might have fun if we teach them the right ways.

My 2 oldest children are 4 and 6 years old. I have them both doing chores. I think that it teaches them responsibility and a child is never too young to be taught these necessities in life.

I just started me two (7 and 4) on chores this year. They get paid $2 a week. I only have them do little things like take antibacterial wipes and wipe door knobs and railings, tidy rooms and pick up toys. It's a start and it gives them a sense of accomplishment. To my surprise they actually enjoy it.

As a kid I was actually never asked to do the chores, I kind of wish now that I was asked to do something. The reason I say this is because I was pretty spiled as a kid and so it was a huge eye opener for me when I had to start doing things myself, I didn't know a lot of the things I should've.

I am not sure there is a set age my 4 year old helps me around the house, he will help gather the trash unload the dishwasher, sometimes he helps vaccume his room

In my personnal opinion, I think a child can start learning chores as soon as they can walk. It can be something simple as having them put their shoes up. Or pick up a toy and walk it over to the toy box. When they are real make a game of it. A ten yr old...yes. He is big enough to clean is own room, put his clothes away and take out the trash. I would start out small and only give him one chore to start out with. My kids are required to keep their rooms clean. My 15 yr old son washes the dishes. Him and my 8 yr old will take out the trash. My 6 yr old daughter just picks up her room and any toys that come out of her room. I pretty much do everything els ein the house. Unless it is to high forme to reach. Than my 15 yr old son comes to the rescue.

when they are old enough to understand what to do. can careful enough not to break any utensils.

I think the earlier the better. Not because they should be made to be useful at a young age, just to teach them early that they need to contribute to their home and family, and theat they must work for what they want. I am a new father and I fully intend to give my daughter only as much pocket money as she earns through chores when she is older.

i started chores when i was like 4 years old. i guess it depends on the parents though, cause i have a cousin who also started at the age of 4 and vacuumed and cleaned up. he has a little brother now who is 6 years now and my cousin is 12 now, and his parents dont make his little brother do chores because "hes still too young." spoiled is basically the word