My kids are eight and 11, and I consider school to be their primary job. They are expected to:
• Make their beds each day;
• Keep their rooms neat;
• Take care of their school lunches;
• Set the table (they alternate nights);
• Gather up household trash as requested;
• Help with food preparation and post-dinner cleanup as needed;
• Put away their laundry*
Other than that, they trade a chore for “screen time” (DVD or computer). The chore will vary, based on what needs doing, but it's typically sweeping and mopping the front hall or bathroom, dusting the living room or cleaning mirrors and counters. We adults role model this by doing our own chores before getting online, unless it’s work-related/time-sensitive. We have a Roomba vacuum, so we all get a break from that job.
*As the laundry area is in my bedroom, starting a wash depends on my schedule. With shared custody, there are weekends when they’re not home and I move their laundry through the queue. Since one of the children fell into the dishwasher while trying to put away dishes, that chore has been reassigned to adults only.
Comments
My kids are eight and 11, and I consider school to be their primary job. They are expected to:
• Make their beds each day;
• Keep their rooms neat;
• Take care of their school lunches;
• Set the table (they alternate nights);
• Gather up household trash as requested;
• Help with food preparation and post-dinner cleanup as needed;
• Put away their laundry*
Other than that, they trade a chore for “screen time” (DVD or computer). The chore will vary, based on what needs doing, but it's typically sweeping and mopping the front hall or bathroom, dusting the living room or cleaning mirrors and counters. We adults role model this by doing our own chores before getting online, unless it’s work-related/time-sensitive. We have a Roomba vacuum, so we all get a break from that job.
*As the laundry area is in my bedroom, starting a wash depends on my schedule. With shared custody, there are weekends when they’re not home and I move their laundry through the queue. Since one of the children fell into the dishwasher while trying to put away dishes, that chore has been reassigned to adults only.
Emily
* http://thehive.modbee.com/everydaygeekery
* http://www.modmomsclub.com/growingupgeek