The Imperfect Community

jenna roberts

My older girls have been responsible for chores since the age of three. Very Happy

Of course I didn't make them vacuum or mop but they learned to put things away and make their beds and they are now quite the little cleaners. They actually will not sit on a tiolet that hasn't been cleaned Laughing

iowafan

Lillyann · Slightly Flawed Joined: 12 Mar 2008 Posts: 143

Our girls when they were little...put away their toys and as they got older, the chores increased.
Cleaning their rooms, feeding the animals, etc.
Let me tell you though...they both went through the *messy room* thing and it drove us nuts, LOL! Nothing as bad as Little People, Big World, though. Now those kids have some serious messy bedrooms and frankly, that would not have been allowed!

jenna roberts

mammaX3_MOD · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:47 am Post subject:

My son went through a phase last year where he would get so excited over my (faked) joy at seeing his clean room. I miss those days.

He's in first grade and I make him put his own laundry away. As long as I fold it, he has to put it away by himself. If I'm doing laundry for 5 everday, he can help out a little.

But over spring break, we were out shopping. And after being overly-nice and taking them out to lunch and everthing, we were at a children's clothing store, and my 6 and 4 year old started to fight loudly in the store. I was so pissed, we went home and I made them CLEAN HOUSE! They (2,4&6) vacuuumed, cleaned the toilets, wiped dirty walls, mopped floors, wiped counters, cleaned bathroom mirrors, everthing! I just supervised and directed. And surprisingly, they liked it. Maybe because it's not things they ever do, so it was new. I'm sure I could probably only get 2 or 3 more days like this before they hate it as much as picking up their rooms, right? Rolling Eyes

But I had to laugh. Because now that they had to clean, they were much more appreciative of the clean house. When Dh came home, he used the bathroom and my 4 year old daughter yelled at him, "Eeew! Daddy! I just cleaned that toilet!" Laughing

momof3_MOD · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:48 am Post subject:

My oldest does chores and my son (3) loves to help her with them. She doesnt do them everyday b/c she has school work to do and I think she needs to play a little more than clean. BUT she loves to vaccume, clean the windows and dust! She also cleans her room, makes her bed and helps me clear the table after meals. She is a big helper!!! Smile

My son? Well besides helping his sister do her chores, he is only 3 and there isnt a whole lot he can do besides cleaning up his toys and feeding the dog.

I CANT WAIT until they are old enough to do their own laundry!!!! OH that will be a great day!!!

iowafan · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:50 am Post subject:

Darlene · Seen Better Days Joined: 12 Apr 2008 Posts: 315

Hey there moms,glad to hear you believe in chores, mine to were raised with them, I hear some times about so many messes the kids made and I have so much to do, I say well why can't they clean up after them selves,you did,I think it is vert educational for them to learn responsibilities,some day they will have to,I heard a couple of my grandkids saying It is not mine ,I did'nt do it, took longer to argue about it than just do it,And I'm not talking 5-6 yr olds either, So I just told the mom, it's her fault, they should have been doing those little things when they were 5-6,So way to go moms, thats great Razz

Stacey S · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 2:54 pm Post subject:

Okay...I'm sure there are going to be a few of you who may think what I'm about to tell you is a bit over the top...but let me tell you...it worked!!!

When my son was 7 he asked if I could take him over to his friends house to play...I told him I really didn't feel like it because I was still in my "house cleaning clothes" and I was about to put dinner on. He put his hands on his hips, stomped his foot & screamed "you NEVER do ANYTHING for me"! At that point I looked at him and told him I thought he was a bit confused as to what the meaning of the word "never" was. To clear things up for him for the next seven days I decided not to "anything" for him so he could see just how much I do.
I made dinner for me & my husband...he had to eat PP&J or cereal since thats all he could make, I did our laundry, but not his...he was wearing some pretty funky outfits by the end of the week, we had clean linen on a nicely made bed,he was still on his yucky sheets from the prior week,I cleaned the house,but not his room... his room was a bomb, etc...by the end of the week he had a much clearer understanding!!!
My son is now 15 (going to be 16 in June) and although he doesn't do much around the house without being asked (repeatedly) he is appreciative of all that I do & tells me regularly :-)

Kennedy · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 4:59 pm Post subject:

Wow! I should try that! No, I just couldn't. My house would look like the Roloff's if I didn't clean! Embarassed

They do have chores, but they don't always do them. I get so caught up with other stuff and sometimes it's time for bed and I realize some of them didn't do their stuff. They have a reward system though. It helps sometimes. They empty the trash, pick up the living room in the evening, help me with laundry, and clean their rooms.

iowafan · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 6:12 pm Post subject:

If it worked, Stacey, it's not over the top Very Happy

JamieS · Seen Better Days Joined: 12 Apr 2008 Posts: 280

jenna roberts · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:50 pm Post subject:

StaceyS you are so Cool

!!! Love the story you shared!

iowafan · Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 10:42 pm Post subject:

Great ideas, fun to see what others think of chores.

jenna roberts · Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 12:19 am Post subject: