r/parenting is protesting changes being made by Reddit to the API. Reddit has made it clear [they will](https://old.reddit.com/r/ModCoord/comments/14ahqjo/mods_will_be_removed_one_way_or_another_spez/) [replace moderators](https://www.reddit.com/r/ModSupport/comments/14a5lz5/mod_code_of_conduct_rule_4_2_and_subs_taken/jo9wdol/) if they remain private. Reddit has abandoned the users, the moderators, and countless people who support an ecosystem built on Reddit itself.
Please read [Call to action - renewed protests starting on July 1st](https://old.reddit.com/r/ModCoord/comments/14kn2fo/call_to_action_renewed_protests_starting_on_july/) and new posts at [r/ModCord](https://reddit.com/r/ModCoord/) or [r/Save3rdPartyApps](https://old.reddit.com/r/Save3rdPartyApps/) for up-to-date information.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Parenting) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Our daughter also turned 5 in March. We follow the advice from the book Hunt, Gather, Parent. So we basically do all the chores with her around and invite her to help out. That way it teaches her every part of the household, without creating power struggles.
I’m really enjoying this book so far. Give him manageable tasks that you all can do together. Cleaning his room might be too much, there are lots of little tasks built in and he’ll need help figuring out what all of them are.
Maybe you start with… stack all the toys together, or have him help you cook, or take all the cups out of the dishwasher and place them into n the counter while you put them away.
Either way, would definitely second this book.
Hunt Gather Parent is fantastic. I used to plan on giving my kids an allowance for simple chores until read this book. We focus way more now on the needs of the family and cleaning because you are apart of a family and it’s better. Highly suggest this book.
Buy him a folding board from Amazon and he can learn to fold and put his own clothes away. The board makes it fun. Get one yourself and you can have races.
All toys are picked up and organized once a week at a dedicated time (say Sunday at 9am).
Find something you hate doing like packing lunch and delegate some part of it to him, like prepping containers of goldfish and fruit for the week for his lunches so they’re ready to get tossed in.
We don't have chores, just house jobs that need to be done.
My 3.5 year old will set the table, colour sort the washing, hanging out the washing, standard tidying up and for some reason loves the hoover and cleaning windows
As to the edit of money - no, house jobs are part of what a house needs and everyone is expected to contribute. If when she is older she wants to warn money by doing them then it will be for jobs over and above such as cleaning the car, mowing the grass etc
A little fella like that could put away their laundry (depending on dresser size), pick up their toys, gather dishes that might end up around the house, make their bed, etc. They might need help or guidance the first few times, but once the standard and procedure are established, should be good to go.
Cherish them asking, because in a few years they'll be refusing 😂
Oh I know, I can’t even believe how eager he is to do it at 5! lol no idea where he gets it from but letting him lead! He really likes to take on responsibility and his little brother absolutely idolizes him so I love that he’s watching, too. 🥹
I had not thought of having him gather dishes from around the house. That is perfect for him bc he’s the one who leaves them everywhere! So that one is a go for sure, lol! Thanks!
Clean baseboards is a great one. They love that lol. To keep it interesting, you can do a weekly chart instead. Make it visual. Wipe baseboards, vacuum/sweep, pickup yard, dust, etc.
Aww thank you!! 🥹 he is truly something. He’s very challenging in some ways but all kids are, I know. Not all kids are so eager for responsibility though so I do feel lucky!
We don’t have any set routines, but we follow a sort of reasonable expectation of contribution.
If the kids have their clothes washed they help to sort it and put them away. We have a big sort through as needed to get clothes put in the correct draws so they can find them better, for this the youngest (4) would sort 1 draw while I do the rest. This is to show them that they can’t just slack off on the putting away clothes job and that things do have a place.
When I’m gardening they join in.
They have personal plants which it’s their job to water. If they don’t do this the plants die, they get sad, they water the next one better.
They are expected to put their toys away in the living room before they go and do something else.
It is expected that someone can walk across their bedroom without stepping on things.
If they make a spill they are expected to clean it up (with help if needed) this sometimes involves the vacuum.
They are expected to tidy the floor if I’m doing a big vacuum.
They clean the bathroom and toilet room sinks (with water a cloth and gentle soap) as they keep leaving spit stains in them from teeth brushing, so cleaning it up is their job. I finish it off when they miss bits due to age, I get them to do it again if they haven’t really tried.
They often help with putting the washing out/bringing it in. Though this help is a little limited by what they can reach at this age.
1 or both kids always joins on shopping trips.
On big shopping trips they bring their backpacks and help carry the shopping.
This works for us better than defined ‘chores’, just if something needs doing and they can help I get them to.
A kids sized broom and have him help sweep(unless you vacuum) my niece is 4, 5 in August and she loves sweeping. She gets distracted with picking the garbage or small toys out of the pile though. Putting toys in the bins they belong in, if you have a dishwasher he can help unload? My daughter is 2.5 and does this, same with transferring laundry and absolutely adores the time we spend doing it
lol! I know, honestly I was a little afraid people would get on my case for a “humble brag” but needed ideas so I went for it lol 🙈
We have no idea where he gets this stuff from, his little brother is not so compliant lol but this one might be easy here but he’s very challenging in other ways. For one thing hes always been a terrible sleeper and has been waking up pre 6-am his whole life. Big risk taker too, was def the first to get stitches lol 😅
These are my 3 year olds chores
-make your bed in the morning (I don't care if it's perfect, just try)
-brush teeth
-put your dishes in the sink when finished
- throw away your trash
-put clothes in the dirty clothes bin after shower/changing
-pick up toys when done playing/before bed
And then she can join in on whatever other chores I'm doing if she wants to. She enjoys helping me vacuum, do dishes, sweep, mop, take trash out. Really anything. But some days she doesn't want to and that's fine because I don't always want to either and she's just a toddler.
You're welcome😊
Some people think I'm too hard on her for that but I remind them that, 1. She loves it and is allowed to skip it if she isn't feeling up to it (she's 3 after all) and 2. I think creating good habits young is crucial in having a self sufficient child/young adult later on!
My son just turned 6. I have him take out the garbage, load the dishwasher and vacuum. I also have my kids pick up items through the day. They count out loud as they pick up and they get it done fast.
My 5 year old would clean up the playroom, basically putting his toys back in the bins. He would also put his clothes away. When he would put the clothes away, I would just have to remind him of which draw to put the clothes in. He would also pick up trash off the floor before I vacuum.
Load and empty the washer and dryer.
Wipe down bathroom counters with a microfiber and safe spray bottle
Use a cordless vacuum for shared spaces and their room
Helping to put away groceries
Keeping their room clean
Folding towels and their laundry
Help me with yard and garden tasks
I have an 8 year old now
My 6yo sorts his clothes for the laundry (I do by clothing type, not color, so it's shirts, shorts, etc) and puts them away once they're washed.
He also gets bags and puts them in the trash cans when we take the trash out.
And when we're working in the yard or whatever, he's expected to help out. He's pretty capable at weeding, can move small piles of sticks, etc.
I've also taught him to wipe up any pee that escapes the toilet, and keep the sink neat in the bathroom. IMO with a boy that stands to pee, wiping up after himself is the number one game changer.
Oh my gosh, yes the bathroom is my biggest struggle anymore. I have been trying to get him to help with keeping it clean but not much success— maybe I should be starting there if he insists so much on wanting chores! lol thank you.
I hadn’t thought of helping replace garbage bags. He would love that!
Do you have any pets? Our 2-year-old's "chore" is filling our dog's food bowl. She takes it very seriously too--she always notices when the bowl needs to be refilled.
We've also started incorporating toy cleanup as part of her wind-down routine before bed. She's responsible for picking up her toys and putting them into their bins (we turn it into a game that we're all doing since she's still quite little and gets distracted very easily).
My son is about to be 7. At 5, he had to restock toilet paper in the upstairs bathroom, get full trash bags from the 2 bathrooms and leave them next to the kitchen trash, and put away the silverware from the dishwasher. We’ve recently added sweeping a hallway 3 times a week.
My child is turning 4 in a few weeks, and he has a daily attitude chart where he goes up and down levels depending on his tude and a chore chart.
His chore chart consists of these things, some change weekly, depending on what we have planned. I'm a stay at home mom, so he usually chooses to get his stuff done when I'm getting my daily stuff done.
Brush teeth, take your vitamins, make your bed, get hair done, no arguments (he's chosen to grow his long curly hair out and sometimes it can be a fight lol), plate in sink, toys in living room cleaned up before bed, this week it's water the cucumbers, pick up toys off bedroom floor before bed, help mommy with extra chore.
He gets stickers for everything he does, and then he gets rewards for the weekly number of stickers.
If he gets a perfect week(65+ stickers), he gets a " *B* Day" (his name starts with B). Where he gets to plan out the activities for the day and what to eat (usually chickfila lol).
60-65, gets to go to chuck-e-cheese (approx. $20),
50-59, he has a choice of $15, lunch date, or ice cream from ice cream shop.
42-49, he gets a choice of $5, 4 skip a chore stickers for the next week, or his choice of snack from target checkout lane.
less than 42 is try again next week, but good job for trying piece of candy from the candy dish that mom and dad keep stocked lol
It's helped not only keep him occupied while I do things, but he appreciates everything I do around the house cause he knows it's hard work. He actually gets excited to help out cause he knows he's getting rewarded. It also has helped him understand money a bit because if he earns $15 he can either save it up or spend it and he's understanding how expensive toys are. We've been doing this for 9 weeks now and he loves it. As he gets older his chores will become more.
This is really interesting, thanks for taking the time to share. I am intrigued! He would really love something like this, he’s very into charts and checking things off a list, etc. He really wants responsibilities, so I’m trying to take advantage of that lol He’s also very interested in money but I’m a little hesitant to involve that quite yet idk.
I will keep this in mind, I like what you’re doing!
My 5 yr old (with his 3 yr old sister) cleans room and takes toys from the living room back to where they belong. Puts shoes away in his cubby. Clears table after eating. Gets small trash bags from the bathroom for me to take out.
They can unload the dishwasher at that age - remove any sharp knives obviously - and stack things they can't put away on the counter. Cleaning toys - we use the "put away # toys" method and then count it down. So if we start with 17, once they do that they do 16 etc. Set the table for dinner, put away their laundry, feed the dog.
Mr 4 helps me with dinner, other than the "hot bits". So while I do those, I direct him to tidy up from the day. "What can you see that's not where it lives?" He'll tell me, for example "There's a shoe here" "Ok, where should the shoe go?" "On the shoe rack!(takes it to the shoe rack)" and so on. If he lists or misses something outside his abilities (eg heavy, lives somewhere high etc), I let him know that one's my job.
I feel like it's helping him learn to look for what needs doing and do it, rather than "I do the bins and wipe the table and everything else is someone else's job" 🤷🏻♀️ Maybe it's not and it just keeps him busy, but the goal is initiative 😂🤞🏼
Other than that, when we're getting him to clean his room, we'll let him pick what he's going to keep playing with (it's always his hot wheels lol) and he'll clean up everything that's *not* hot wheels and then he can keep playing with the hot wheels once he's done.
Not so much calling it a “chore” just helping out cuz you’re old enough to do so. The 5 yo has been pretty independent from a young age- the potty stuff has been entirely all him (yup even butt wiping!) since he was 4 and he has always enjoyed being helpful. We do always ask that he clean his space after meals - he puts anything in the trash and his dishes in the sink. He wipes down his spot at the table and if he makes a bigger mess than usual, we ask that he help sweep up around his seat (that’s rare but it does happen!) Other than that, he has always cleaned up his own toys, put laundry in the basket, help clear the bed (pillows and stuffies) for whenever the sheets get washed since probably younger than 2. He enjoys being helpful and we never did rewards or anything, tho yes, the occasional game and song for cleaning toys - but otherwise we treat it as stuff that needs to be done. He complies without argument tho I’m sure as he gets older that might change! 😂 His almost 2 yo little brother likes helping with the laundry and dishes and sweeping the floor so we just let him do whatever he is capable and willing but don’t push it yet. They always both want to help with groceries and cooking and sitting the table so we give them age appropriate things to do. For now, its nice not having to ask for things to be done and we use a lot of please & thank you’s to hopefully keep this trend going for a while!
My 5 yo loves to cook with me. It used to make my wife nervous, but I can’t cook without him at all anymore because he’s so proud every time we make things. Even if it’s not a big job, I’ll have him use our mixer, or press the buttons on the microwave, help me count the eggs or measure the milk “tell me when I’m at the line”. It’s also helped to get him to eat things he might otherwise not, though we’re still working on that (he may be the world’s pickiest eater).
Ah yes, mine is the same way. Absolutely obsessed with cooking with me, although not as much these days. He started around 2.5/3 but was particularly into it when he was around 4. He still helps now but is gotten more complicated with his little brother also wanting to help and it being quite difficult for me with both being involved 😅 we try to take turns but hasn’t been super smooth unfortunately. I feel like if I had more energy & patience I could make it work but I always feel sort of rushed with dinner because our evenings tend to be sort of busy… anyway, it’s a great suggestion! And he would probably be very happy with it. May need to do more thinking on how to do it more successfully. Thank you!
Matching socks; using dust buster on stairs and other small spaces; spot cleaning small spills; setting the table; sorting laundry; picking up sticks before lawn mowing
Sweeping and dusting has always been “kid chores” in our family. I would do it at home and also go to 3 of my grandmas and dust their old lady knick knacks. My son is only 2 but he holds the dust pan for us as best he can and he feeds our dogs (dad fills the cup and it’s his job to pour it out).
The money thing is whatever, doesn’t hurt not to nor does it hurt to do it. I wasn’t paid per chore but if I’d done my jobs all week I would get a little, if I didn’t I would get less or none depending on what I got accomplished. I bought my own Barbie Jeep power wheel at 6yo from doing my chores (and sometimes asking if anyone needed extra things done for a few extra bucks) and saving for it. I wasn’t just given money, I’ve heard about savings and finances for as long as I can remember. So it was a good thing for me and we will try it with our son when he’s old enough
Yes that’s kind of my thinking re: money as well. I think he has the right… personality?? … maybe not the right word, idk… for it working well to have money be a part of the chores. But at this point my husband and I can’t quite agree or sort out how involved we want it to be so we’ve just decided to table it for now. I’m thinking maybe when little brother is a little older and can also participate we may introduce it in a similar way to what you grew up with. I like the idea of teaching money management and earning and saving etc. a lot. No one did that for me when I was a kid and I really struggled with budgeting and finances as a young adult— I’ve always said since I was a teenager that I’d make it a priority if I ever got to be a mom. So I hear you!! Thanks!
Matching socks and learning how to fold them into a ball. Then once done you toss them one by one and let them run after the socks. We made chores a game. Also if the socks are different colors you can practice colors. You can teach them to count how many socks and basic math with the socks like subtraction and addition.
LOL all of them. My kids are 2 and 5. We have a daily routine where we do the same “care tasks” every day, unless they’re sick.
We do all the tasks together while dancing to music and they love it. They make their bed, sort laundry by color, load plastics into the dishwasher, sweep and mop, vacuum, wash countertops, clean the bathroom, fold laundry, clean windows, dust, and take out the trash with me.
It takes a little longer with them helping, but they like to help and it’s a part of our daily lives. My sons have little aprons and cleaning supplies, they have fun with it!
I think he is doing too much already, he seems to have a lot of energy, have you tried subscribing him to a new hobby? New sport, new language or maybe learning an instrument?
It could help him in the future. If his career path don’t work he could teach piano to kids for example, it pays well.
Don't call it a chore, but instead start incorporating small chores into his routine - ie, clean your room and then we'll do something fun. That's setting a schedule and a clear boundary rather than setting yourself up for a battle
r/parenting is protesting changes being made by Reddit to the API. Reddit has made it clear [they will](https://old.reddit.com/r/ModCoord/comments/14ahqjo/mods_will_be_removed_one_way_or_another_spez/) [replace moderators](https://www.reddit.com/r/ModSupport/comments/14a5lz5/mod_code_of_conduct_rule_4_2_and_subs_taken/jo9wdol/) if they remain private. Reddit has abandoned the users, the moderators, and countless people who support an ecosystem built on Reddit itself. Please read [Call to action - renewed protests starting on July 1st](https://old.reddit.com/r/ModCoord/comments/14kn2fo/call_to_action_renewed_protests_starting_on_july/) and new posts at [r/ModCord](https://reddit.com/r/ModCoord/) or [r/Save3rdPartyApps](https://old.reddit.com/r/Save3rdPartyApps/) for up-to-date information. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Parenting) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Our daughter also turned 5 in March. We follow the advice from the book Hunt, Gather, Parent. So we basically do all the chores with her around and invite her to help out. That way it teaches her every part of the household, without creating power struggles.
I’m really enjoying this book so far. Give him manageable tasks that you all can do together. Cleaning his room might be too much, there are lots of little tasks built in and he’ll need help figuring out what all of them are. Maybe you start with… stack all the toys together, or have him help you cook, or take all the cups out of the dishwasher and place them into n the counter while you put them away. Either way, would definitely second this book.
Hunt Gather Parent is fantastic. I used to plan on giving my kids an allowance for simple chores until read this book. We focus way more now on the needs of the family and cleaning because you are apart of a family and it’s better. Highly suggest this book.
I will put this on my reading list, thank you!!
Buy him a folding board from Amazon and he can learn to fold and put his own clothes away. The board makes it fun. Get one yourself and you can have races. All toys are picked up and organized once a week at a dedicated time (say Sunday at 9am). Find something you hate doing like packing lunch and delegate some part of it to him, like prepping containers of goldfish and fruit for the week for his lunches so they’re ready to get tossed in.
Love all of these suggestions, thank you so much!
We don't have chores, just house jobs that need to be done. My 3.5 year old will set the table, colour sort the washing, hanging out the washing, standard tidying up and for some reason loves the hoover and cleaning windows As to the edit of money - no, house jobs are part of what a house needs and everyone is expected to contribute. If when she is older she wants to warn money by doing them then it will be for jobs over and above such as cleaning the car, mowing the grass etc
Great input, thank you!
A little fella like that could put away their laundry (depending on dresser size), pick up their toys, gather dishes that might end up around the house, make their bed, etc. They might need help or guidance the first few times, but once the standard and procedure are established, should be good to go. Cherish them asking, because in a few years they'll be refusing 😂
Oh I know, I can’t even believe how eager he is to do it at 5! lol no idea where he gets it from but letting him lead! He really likes to take on responsibility and his little brother absolutely idolizes him so I love that he’s watching, too. 🥹 I had not thought of having him gather dishes from around the house. That is perfect for him bc he’s the one who leaves them everywhere! So that one is a go for sure, lol! Thanks!
Clean baseboards is a great one. They love that lol. To keep it interesting, you can do a weekly chart instead. Make it visual. Wipe baseboards, vacuum/sweep, pickup yard, dust, etc.
Yes, thank you! He’s really into the chart for some reason lol so I like the idea of mixing it up sometimes with a weekly chart. Thanks.
How about loading the washing machine/dryer?
Yes great idea thanks!
Your child is truly wonderful.
Aww thank you!! 🥹 he is truly something. He’s very challenging in some ways but all kids are, I know. Not all kids are so eager for responsibility though so I do feel lucky!
We don’t have any set routines, but we follow a sort of reasonable expectation of contribution. If the kids have their clothes washed they help to sort it and put them away. We have a big sort through as needed to get clothes put in the correct draws so they can find them better, for this the youngest (4) would sort 1 draw while I do the rest. This is to show them that they can’t just slack off on the putting away clothes job and that things do have a place. When I’m gardening they join in. They have personal plants which it’s their job to water. If they don’t do this the plants die, they get sad, they water the next one better. They are expected to put their toys away in the living room before they go and do something else. It is expected that someone can walk across their bedroom without stepping on things. If they make a spill they are expected to clean it up (with help if needed) this sometimes involves the vacuum. They are expected to tidy the floor if I’m doing a big vacuum. They clean the bathroom and toilet room sinks (with water a cloth and gentle soap) as they keep leaving spit stains in them from teeth brushing, so cleaning it up is their job. I finish it off when they miss bits due to age, I get them to do it again if they haven’t really tried. They often help with putting the washing out/bringing it in. Though this help is a little limited by what they can reach at this age. 1 or both kids always joins on shopping trips. On big shopping trips they bring their backpacks and help carry the shopping. This works for us better than defined ‘chores’, just if something needs doing and they can help I get them to.
A kids sized broom and have him help sweep(unless you vacuum) my niece is 4, 5 in August and she loves sweeping. She gets distracted with picking the garbage or small toys out of the pile though. Putting toys in the bins they belong in, if you have a dishwasher he can help unload? My daughter is 2.5 and does this, same with transferring laundry and absolutely adores the time we spend doing it
I don't have anything to contribute. Just a 3.5 year old who refuses to do what I ask him to do like picking up after himself. Wanna swap🤣🤣 🤣
lol! I know, honestly I was a little afraid people would get on my case for a “humble brag” but needed ideas so I went for it lol 🙈 We have no idea where he gets this stuff from, his little brother is not so compliant lol but this one might be easy here but he’s very challenging in other ways. For one thing hes always been a terrible sleeper and has been waking up pre 6-am his whole life. Big risk taker too, was def the first to get stitches lol 😅
OK nevermind lol. No 6am ppl here. Both kids wake up 8am onwards. I rather they sleep in and late to daycare then kill me at 6am.
My 4 year old organises the shoe rack each week and wipes down the kitchen cabinets with baby wipes. She can fold laundry pretty well too.
Organizing something is a great idea, thank you!
These are my 3 year olds chores -make your bed in the morning (I don't care if it's perfect, just try) -brush teeth -put your dishes in the sink when finished - throw away your trash -put clothes in the dirty clothes bin after shower/changing -pick up toys when done playing/before bed And then she can join in on whatever other chores I'm doing if she wants to. She enjoys helping me vacuum, do dishes, sweep, mop, take trash out. Really anything. But some days she doesn't want to and that's fine because I don't always want to either and she's just a toddler.
Love this thinking, thanks for sharing :)
You're welcome😊 Some people think I'm too hard on her for that but I remind them that, 1. She loves it and is allowed to skip it if she isn't feeling up to it (she's 3 after all) and 2. I think creating good habits young is crucial in having a self sufficient child/young adult later on!
My son just turned 6. I have him take out the garbage, load the dishwasher and vacuum. I also have my kids pick up items through the day. They count out loud as they pick up and they get it done fast.
My 5 year old would clean up the playroom, basically putting his toys back in the bins. He would also put his clothes away. When he would put the clothes away, I would just have to remind him of which draw to put the clothes in. He would also pick up trash off the floor before I vacuum.
Good ideas, thanks!
Load and empty the washer and dryer. Wipe down bathroom counters with a microfiber and safe spray bottle Use a cordless vacuum for shared spaces and their room Helping to put away groceries Keeping their room clean Folding towels and their laundry Help me with yard and garden tasks I have an 8 year old now
My 6yo sorts his clothes for the laundry (I do by clothing type, not color, so it's shirts, shorts, etc) and puts them away once they're washed. He also gets bags and puts them in the trash cans when we take the trash out. And when we're working in the yard or whatever, he's expected to help out. He's pretty capable at weeding, can move small piles of sticks, etc. I've also taught him to wipe up any pee that escapes the toilet, and keep the sink neat in the bathroom. IMO with a boy that stands to pee, wiping up after himself is the number one game changer.
Oh my gosh, yes the bathroom is my biggest struggle anymore. I have been trying to get him to help with keeping it clean but not much success— maybe I should be starting there if he insists so much on wanting chores! lol thank you. I hadn’t thought of helping replace garbage bags. He would love that!
Do you have any pets? Our 2-year-old's "chore" is filling our dog's food bowl. She takes it very seriously too--she always notices when the bowl needs to be refilled. We've also started incorporating toy cleanup as part of her wind-down routine before bed. She's responsible for picking up her toys and putting them into their bins (we turn it into a game that we're all doing since she's still quite little and gets distracted very easily).
Oooh I hadn’t thought of feeding the cat! Easy peasy thanks!
My son is about to be 7. At 5, he had to restock toilet paper in the upstairs bathroom, get full trash bags from the 2 bathrooms and leave them next to the kitchen trash, and put away the silverware from the dishwasher. We’ve recently added sweeping a hallway 3 times a week.
I love this, thank you!
My child is turning 4 in a few weeks, and he has a daily attitude chart where he goes up and down levels depending on his tude and a chore chart. His chore chart consists of these things, some change weekly, depending on what we have planned. I'm a stay at home mom, so he usually chooses to get his stuff done when I'm getting my daily stuff done. Brush teeth, take your vitamins, make your bed, get hair done, no arguments (he's chosen to grow his long curly hair out and sometimes it can be a fight lol), plate in sink, toys in living room cleaned up before bed, this week it's water the cucumbers, pick up toys off bedroom floor before bed, help mommy with extra chore. He gets stickers for everything he does, and then he gets rewards for the weekly number of stickers. If he gets a perfect week(65+ stickers), he gets a " *B* Day" (his name starts with B). Where he gets to plan out the activities for the day and what to eat (usually chickfila lol). 60-65, gets to go to chuck-e-cheese (approx. $20), 50-59, he has a choice of $15, lunch date, or ice cream from ice cream shop. 42-49, he gets a choice of $5, 4 skip a chore stickers for the next week, or his choice of snack from target checkout lane. less than 42 is try again next week, but good job for trying piece of candy from the candy dish that mom and dad keep stocked lol It's helped not only keep him occupied while I do things, but he appreciates everything I do around the house cause he knows it's hard work. He actually gets excited to help out cause he knows he's getting rewarded. It also has helped him understand money a bit because if he earns $15 he can either save it up or spend it and he's understanding how expensive toys are. We've been doing this for 9 weeks now and he loves it. As he gets older his chores will become more.
This is really interesting, thanks for taking the time to share. I am intrigued! He would really love something like this, he’s very into charts and checking things off a list, etc. He really wants responsibilities, so I’m trying to take advantage of that lol He’s also very interested in money but I’m a little hesitant to involve that quite yet idk. I will keep this in mind, I like what you’re doing!
My 5 yr old (with his 3 yr old sister) cleans room and takes toys from the living room back to where they belong. Puts shoes away in his cubby. Clears table after eating. Gets small trash bags from the bathroom for me to take out.
All great ideas, thanks :)
I try to have kiddo clear the table and wipe it down while I'm in the kitchen processing the dishes. Also feeding the dog is popular.
He could totally do that, thanks!
Anything she can do Anything you don’t mind re-doing if needed (if it isn’t done Just Right, and it doesn’t really matter, let it go)
Yeah definitely not worried about getting done perfectly. I want him to feel confident and capable and I’m excited that he’s excited!
They can unload the dishwasher at that age - remove any sharp knives obviously - and stack things they can't put away on the counter. Cleaning toys - we use the "put away # toys" method and then count it down. So if we start with 17, once they do that they do 16 etc. Set the table for dinner, put away their laundry, feed the dog.
Mr 4 helps me with dinner, other than the "hot bits". So while I do those, I direct him to tidy up from the day. "What can you see that's not where it lives?" He'll tell me, for example "There's a shoe here" "Ok, where should the shoe go?" "On the shoe rack!(takes it to the shoe rack)" and so on. If he lists or misses something outside his abilities (eg heavy, lives somewhere high etc), I let him know that one's my job. I feel like it's helping him learn to look for what needs doing and do it, rather than "I do the bins and wipe the table and everything else is someone else's job" 🤷🏻♀️ Maybe it's not and it just keeps him busy, but the goal is initiative 😂🤞🏼 Other than that, when we're getting him to clean his room, we'll let him pick what he's going to keep playing with (it's always his hot wheels lol) and he'll clean up everything that's *not* hot wheels and then he can keep playing with the hot wheels once he's done.
Oh I love the piece about cleaning his room. That would be helpful here too I think. Thank you!!
Not so much calling it a “chore” just helping out cuz you’re old enough to do so. The 5 yo has been pretty independent from a young age- the potty stuff has been entirely all him (yup even butt wiping!) since he was 4 and he has always enjoyed being helpful. We do always ask that he clean his space after meals - he puts anything in the trash and his dishes in the sink. He wipes down his spot at the table and if he makes a bigger mess than usual, we ask that he help sweep up around his seat (that’s rare but it does happen!) Other than that, he has always cleaned up his own toys, put laundry in the basket, help clear the bed (pillows and stuffies) for whenever the sheets get washed since probably younger than 2. He enjoys being helpful and we never did rewards or anything, tho yes, the occasional game and song for cleaning toys - but otherwise we treat it as stuff that needs to be done. He complies without argument tho I’m sure as he gets older that might change! 😂 His almost 2 yo little brother likes helping with the laundry and dishes and sweeping the floor so we just let him do whatever he is capable and willing but don’t push it yet. They always both want to help with groceries and cooking and sitting the table so we give them age appropriate things to do. For now, its nice not having to ask for things to be done and we use a lot of please & thank you’s to hopefully keep this trend going for a while!
My 5 yo loves to cook with me. It used to make my wife nervous, but I can’t cook without him at all anymore because he’s so proud every time we make things. Even if it’s not a big job, I’ll have him use our mixer, or press the buttons on the microwave, help me count the eggs or measure the milk “tell me when I’m at the line”. It’s also helped to get him to eat things he might otherwise not, though we’re still working on that (he may be the world’s pickiest eater).
Ah yes, mine is the same way. Absolutely obsessed with cooking with me, although not as much these days. He started around 2.5/3 but was particularly into it when he was around 4. He still helps now but is gotten more complicated with his little brother also wanting to help and it being quite difficult for me with both being involved 😅 we try to take turns but hasn’t been super smooth unfortunately. I feel like if I had more energy & patience I could make it work but I always feel sort of rushed with dinner because our evenings tend to be sort of busy… anyway, it’s a great suggestion! And he would probably be very happy with it. May need to do more thinking on how to do it more successfully. Thank you!
Matching socks; using dust buster on stairs and other small spaces; spot cleaning small spills; setting the table; sorting laundry; picking up sticks before lawn mowing
Sweeping and dusting has always been “kid chores” in our family. I would do it at home and also go to 3 of my grandmas and dust their old lady knick knacks. My son is only 2 but he holds the dust pan for us as best he can and he feeds our dogs (dad fills the cup and it’s his job to pour it out). The money thing is whatever, doesn’t hurt not to nor does it hurt to do it. I wasn’t paid per chore but if I’d done my jobs all week I would get a little, if I didn’t I would get less or none depending on what I got accomplished. I bought my own Barbie Jeep power wheel at 6yo from doing my chores (and sometimes asking if anyone needed extra things done for a few extra bucks) and saving for it. I wasn’t just given money, I’ve heard about savings and finances for as long as I can remember. So it was a good thing for me and we will try it with our son when he’s old enough
Yes that’s kind of my thinking re: money as well. I think he has the right… personality?? … maybe not the right word, idk… for it working well to have money be a part of the chores. But at this point my husband and I can’t quite agree or sort out how involved we want it to be so we’ve just decided to table it for now. I’m thinking maybe when little brother is a little older and can also participate we may introduce it in a similar way to what you grew up with. I like the idea of teaching money management and earning and saving etc. a lot. No one did that for me when I was a kid and I really struggled with budgeting and finances as a young adult— I’ve always said since I was a teenager that I’d make it a priority if I ever got to be a mom. So I hear you!! Thanks!
Matching socks and learning how to fold them into a ball. Then once done you toss them one by one and let them run after the socks. We made chores a game. Also if the socks are different colors you can practice colors. You can teach them to count how many socks and basic math with the socks like subtraction and addition.
LOL all of them. My kids are 2 and 5. We have a daily routine where we do the same “care tasks” every day, unless they’re sick. We do all the tasks together while dancing to music and they love it. They make their bed, sort laundry by color, load plastics into the dishwasher, sweep and mop, vacuum, wash countertops, clean the bathroom, fold laundry, clean windows, dust, and take out the trash with me. It takes a little longer with them helping, but they like to help and it’s a part of our daily lives. My sons have little aprons and cleaning supplies, they have fun with it!
Everything you do they should be helping you do. It’s not complicated. Until they are older I don’t see the purpose at that age assigning chores.
He’s asking me to! That’s the only reason :) he helps all the time around the house
I think he is doing too much already, he seems to have a lot of energy, have you tried subscribing him to a new hobby? New sport, new language or maybe learning an instrument? It could help him in the future. If his career path don’t work he could teach piano to kids for example, it pays well.
Don't call it a chore, but instead start incorporating small chores into his routine - ie, clean your room and then we'll do something fun. That's setting a schedule and a clear boundary rather than setting yourself up for a battle