Monday, March 1, 2010

She's 5 now, is that too young to do her own laundry?

Now that Drew is 5, she is going to be more responsible for things.  Her things.  She's a great helper at home and loves to dust, put clothes in the dryer from the washing machine and things like that.  We've always had the kids put their own toys away, etc. but I'm thinking now it's time to step it up.  She can put her clothes away that belong in her bureau.  The laundry fairy will deliver them in a nice, neat folded pile on her bed but she will have to put her underpants and pajamas away.  She needs to bring her dinner plate to the kitchen from the table after dinner.  And I think having her make her bed every morning is a good one, too.  I don't want to overload her but we're definitely going to add some responsibilites to her tiny little plate.

We haven't even discussed an allowance.  She doesn't know what that is yet so we may ride the free horse as long as we can.  Until she goes to kindergarten next year and at lunch one of her little girlfriends says something like, "You do all that shit for free?  Girlfriend, your parents are ripping you off."  I can just see it.  Well, I don't think a little kindergartener at the Christian kindergarten is going to say 'shit' but you get what I'm saying.  Until we're ratted out, she'll do it because she's a big girl and she's capable.  And because it's important.

What are your feelings on chores for kids? How old and what kinds of things?


Chores?  Bring it.

6 comments:

  1. Chores. It is almost as painful as just doing it your damn self but it must be taught.

    My kids do not get an allowance although they bitch mightily about not getting "paid for working". I think this is why I don't. I don't get paid for picking up their socks 472 times per week. They're already spoiled, I just don't want to deal with it yet. It's my own follow-thru issue.

    They are responsible for clearing the table, filling and emptying the dishwasher. Cleaning their rooms (HA HA HA HA HA) and putting their own laundry away (HHHHHAAAAAAA!) Zack is usually asked to take out the various household trash bags, Skyler helps with things as I do them. They are supposed to keep track of their soccer gear (HA) and we have Saturday clean up day which they despise.

    If I were more consistent they would be good little chore doers. I think you are the perfect person to make the perfect system.

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  2. Oh and I recommend steering clear of a chore that requires turns. You will hear 40,000 times "but it's not my tuuuuuuurrrrn". There are too many variables to the turn taking and they never ever forget the score.

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  3. I don't believe in allowance for things that should be done anyways but it's a tough call as budgeting and savings isn't taught at school.

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  4. I think you'll be surprised what those good little Christian kids teach your sweet angel!
    ;)

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  5. Our Peanut already has a job at 19 months old. She loves to feed the cat so we let her fill up the bowl each day. We are also trying to teach her to clean up after herself. That is not working so well.
    As a child who had to clean up the kitchen after dinner and clean her own bathroom, I'm a big believer in chores as a way to teach responsibility.
    Good for you!

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  6. Maybe not just yet, but I think an allowance is important for teaching financial responsibility.

    Chores, I am all for. Griffin is a great helper - he puts away his toys, puts his plate in the sink, etc. We haven't decided yet whether chores and allowance should be directly related.

    -Danielle

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