I know we’ve discussed jobs for kids before but two people in the last couple days have commented to me on how ‘well trained’ I have my children just because they help out around the house.
It makes me smile when people tell me what good kids they are simply because they help out around the house or that I must be strict because I give them set tasks to do.
The ‘Good Kids’
My children help out around the house because we all live in the house together and we all contribute to the mess that’s inevitably made and the jobs that need doing. So why wouldn’t they be expected to help out a little bit?
They have daily jobs that they do every afternoon and weekly jobs that they do over the weekend and none of them are difficult or time consuming.
To give you an idea, Master Frugal on a daily basis has to tidy the shoes up in the hall, hoover the living room and then once a week he dusts the unit in the living room and the small side table and gives the living room windowsill a wipe down. He is also responsible for keeping his own room tidy and making sure that he clears up after himself when he leaves a mess. That’s not too taxing for an 11 year old is it?
As well as keeping her room tidy and clearing up her own mess, Miss Frugal sweeps the kitchen floor every day and puts the pots away as well as giving the dining room table a clean down after tea. Once a week she’ll give the bureau and the kitchen shelves a dust as well which is hardly difficult for a 13 year old! She has the option to give the house a ‘superclean’ which is when she will spend about an hour and a half just cleaning and tidying everywhere and for that, I do pay her because she does such a thorough job and it’s a genuine pleasure to walk through the door and see everything sparkling and tidy.
I’d say they can do their daily jobs in less than 15 minutes which is a lot less time than I spend on my daily jobs. And once their jobs are done, they’re allowed to play on electronics or go out with their friends which I think is a pretty good deal!
Does expecting them to help around the house mean that I’m mean or that they’re well trained?
I don’t think so!
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Hi Cass, just found your blog and this post and absolutely agree with you. All my kids (Aged 12, 9, & 5) help out with jobs round the house for the same reason – we all live in the house and have to work as a team to keep it running. Many times others parents seem amazed at this idea when it has come up in conversation but we make it fun and it teaches some discipline and responsibility. xx
I am trying to train up my kids to help out although I must say that at the moment I'm having more joy with my two year old than my five year old!!
My children are 10 and 12 and they have been doing little chores for years. I don't think it means they are well trained/good kids as such, it's just that they have been raised to help out when required. They will empty and load the dishwasher each day, feed pets, hoover etc whenever asked and they keep their rooms tidy x
I think it is great that you expect them to do these things, My kids are going to have to start having chores as I let them get away without doing a great deal and I really think it helps get them into good habits x
When I had my older kids I always said that childhood was childhood and never expected them to do anything. I'd always been made to do housework, make cups of tea, washing up etc and said I wouldn't make my kids do the same. But I was wrong, because they do need to learn, my two are both lazy now and it's a pain trying to get them to do anything. My younger children are happy to help around the house, I don't make them do it, I just ask if they want to help and they do..and of course they always tidy up their own mess.
My son has recently taken on a few tasks (other than tidying his room) and there has been a lot of moaning, but I agree it's what needs to be done.
haha I think 'well trained' is something people often say in envy rather than criticism. Whilst I'd never call my kids 'well trained' as it feels like something you'd say about a dog, they do the jobs that I ask of them as my philosophy is like yours, we all live in the house therefore we all contribute to keep the family running. Well done on having such conscientious and collaborative children! x
I think that your kids are great. They do take on board what you say and you have a great relationship with them. I think you really do have them well trained!
having 8 its a need for us all to have our own responsibilities so i try to ensure we all do our bit otherwise i get stressed and tired and things dont get done putting pressure on the home , its nice to have structure i think
Hi they make the mess they clear it too, a lot (most) of the younger generation go to uni and dont know how to cook clean budget etc. as they have all have had everything done for them. One of my sons would get the bero book out if he was in on his own and bake, problem was he didnt want to share lol. When friends asked him who taught him he said I just read the book, it helped that I baked most weeks
so he could see what was done. When my 2 youngest grandchildren come they make buns even allow the 4 year old to break the eggs into a cup once you showed him how he could do it unaided, helped to have wipeable table cloth, love your blog this is the first time I've left a comment hope it goes through x