Help me pick out chores the skids can do for allowance!
We have SS3 (turns 4 in July) half the time, and we take SS's sister (who is 6) 1-2 days during the week. We discussed this weekend that we could start giving the skids some chores to do in return for allowance. You know, the whole teaching responsibility, work ethic, and also the value of money thing... 
So I need help thinking of feasible chores that a 4 and 6 year old can do, that won't require a ton of direction. Here's my list so far:
- Vaccuum stairs with the hand vac
- Organize entryway shoes
- Clean patio door window
- Dust living room book case (3 shelves)
- Wash living room window
- Clean bathroom mirrors
I think I'll let them pick just one thing to do per week. I'm also not sure how much money kids earn nowadays for chores? I think my sister and I got like 10 cents x how old we are for each chore! Of course, when they get older I could add harder chores -- like cleaning toilets and stuff.
- SteppingUp's blog
- Log in or register to post comments
Comments
my sister taught 3 year old
my sister taught 3 year old how to pick toys up and put them in their bin. he took this a step farthur and would pick up EVERYTHING and put it in the garbage!!! Puzzles are no longer an option if he's been cleaning! too funny but she didnt want to stop him so she made a "L" bin for him to put everything so she could go through it first!
at 3 YOU will need to offer
at 3 YOU will need to offer tons of help and tons of praise...6 yr old will prob be able to do it she's not there as much so it may be harder for her....It is do able.....use a star/sticker chart....and Brag like crazy on your skids efforts.....Teach them now it will be much easier than when they are older......
jlmx2: can I come do chores at your house? pretty good rate of pay....
Pick something related to
Pick something related to what they're good at naturally. I started my DD with only one chore weekly at the age of 4: sorting laundry. It was a pretty good fit because it required minimal supervision, there wasn't much to sort (just the 2 of us at the time), and she's good with color recognition.
My neice will be 4 in August
My neice will be 4 in August and I can't see her doing any of those things without very close supervision except maybe the shoes and IMHO if I have to provide close supervision, I might as well do it myself.. way quicker that way!
But good for you to instill some values in them! My SS12 and SD13 do NOTHING when they are with us.. in fact MIL asked them once last summer if they help me do dishes and stuff when they are there and their answer? "No, Daizy doesn't mind doing our dishes and stuff" WTF? Even MIL was like WTF? I think one time that I can ever remember did they do THEIR sink full of dishes without being asked. DH usually does them now, because I had a talk with him about how I am not everyone's maid. If he wants to be their butler then whatever, but the dishes will sit there if everyone just expects that I will do them.. not going to happen. I do their laundry since it's usually only a couple of pieces but I just wad it up in a ball and put it in with the rest of their wadded up in balls clothes.. if they don't care, then neither do I!
I Triple Dog Dare someone to complain about it!
Okay, a few of you said they
Okay, a few of you said they are too hard...but I'm not sure why they seem too hard? I obviously wouldn't expect perfection. The patio window would be just wiping the dog prints off of it with window cleaner and paper towel, and nothing higher than where they reach (since the dog doesn't dirty higher than that anyway) -- I wouldn't expect them to clean from top to bottom. I kind of thought they'd actually enjoy cleaning the mirror with the foamy cleaner. We only have like 6 stairs to vaccuum. And the three shelves don't seem like a lot -- they have baskets on them so all they'd have to do is take the baskets off, wipe, and put them back. Maybe I just needed more explanation to them? Do they still seem too hard?
Thank you -- we're in the
Thank you -- we're in the same boat. BM will never teach her these things or require them to do anything with responsibility so it has to fall on our shoulders to try to instill those values.
My SD 5 helps me put
My SD 5 helps me put grocery's away every Fri night, she picks up her own room, she makes her own bed, and puts her own laundry away. (in dresser...I hang the ones that go in the closet) She has been doing these things for over a year. Both of your SKIDS should be able to do these things. On your list I think the shoes and the dusting of the bookcase are fine. Why just the bookcase though....my mom use to put old socks on our hands (like puppets) spray some dusting spray on the socks and tell us to go around the house and gentley touch everything. We actually had fun with it.
I know at BM's SD5 does the same chores as she does here and in addition helps take out the garbage, and helps unload the dishwasher there.
Thanks for the ideas. I think
Thanks for the ideas. I think I can definitely add something to do with laundry to the list. Except I rarely get laundry done on nights we have the skids, but maybe I could just fold for them and put htem on their bed and they have to put away.