What age do you feel a child should start doing chores and why?

1. 80

   breastpumpreviewsposted 12 years ago

   What age do you feel a child should start doing chores and why?

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2. 78

   roxanne459posted 12 years ago

   I think kids should start being 'helpers' as soon young as 3 or 4. They feel very important and included when they help by putting the napkins on the table or picking up the toys with you etc. We started having age appropriate chores that were assigned to each child when they were 7 years old. The point there wasn't the chore itself but to instill the idea that everyone is important in the running of the family and household. It also sets the ground work for a solid work ethic. If you wait to long to assign chores, you will be met with a lot of resistance and self entitlement.

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3. 70

   S.K.posted 12 years ago

   Great Question!! We got our son started somewhere around his 3rd year picking up his own toys and cleaning his room. My 8 yr old daughter can clean her room, make her bed, sweep, clean the tub before & after she bathes, etc. It may sound extreme, but they have a daily routine that keeps us from having to do everything for them.
   
   Giving them a few chores and responsibilities early on ensures that they take care of their things and are organized. They do not leave toys laying around everywhere and have the idea that we will do it for them. Planting seeds of responsibility early on is a key factor to the overall development of a child.
   
   And it has to start early on to stick with them. When I was a kid, we cut grass, washed dishes, mopped, and had every chore under the sun. Now of course, we hated our chores but they served a purpose and instilled values that my brother and I carry today as men in our late 20's.
   
   Our grandma had an old saying that " If they're old enough to talk, then they're old enough to understand! And If they can understand, they can do some chores!" Its funny how they are called chores for kids but responsibilities for the rest of us...!  Awesome Question!

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4. 80

   breastpumpreviewsposted 12 years ago

   I have started around a year and a half with my other two kids.  I have always given them a chore that was age appropriate.

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5. 86

   Ms Deeposted 12 years ago

   At whatever age and task they can start joining in and helping you or dad. Then, when they are able to do it by themselves, it becomes theirs! There will be some they like and don't like, so delegate more of the kind they like and less of the kind they don't (though not totally void of them), so that chores continue to be seen in a positive light more than negative.

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6. 0

   susanm23bposted 12 years ago

   Very young children love to copy their parents' behavior and love being involved and being helpful.  If they begin helping out early on, this will develop into a habit and an understanding that the family is a team and everyone is needed.  At first children will only be able to do small tasks--and maybe not very well--but it is vital to encourage their efforts and desire to help and please you.  They are doing their best and learning important life skills.

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7. 68

   kittyjjposted 12 years ago

   I would say whenever they show sighs of interest.  My son was eager to help put away his clean clothes when he was only two but very reluctant on putting away his toys at the end of the day.  Try to let your kid start with the chores they enjoy first.   Kids do get bored with doing the same chores over a period of time.  So allowing them to learn and do other chores would make chore a fun thing to do.

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8. 88

   mistyhorizon2003posted 12 years ago

   Have you ever asked yourself when is the right age to get your children to start doing chores? There are many excellent reasons to encourage your children to start helping with household chores as soon as possible, and this article explains why... read more

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