Starting to Teach Chores

[ukel]

I know lots of you will think I'm harsh and mean, but I've been teaching my 2.5 year old chores. He helps with laundry and we cook food for dinner together. Sometime DP comes and helps with dinner, sometimes not. DS loves being useful and it's very good. Is this okay? Lots of people don't think this is right but he's very advanced and I want him to learn things.

It’s fine. My DC have always loved helping. Now I give pocket money for chores. Everyone should help and you’re teaching life skills..

My children all have (age appropriate) chores. Since around 2 or 3, my youngest's job has been to empty the cutlery from the dishwasher each morning and put it away, and to fill the water bottles for school. He also makes sure everyone's shoes and bags and coats are out ready in the hallway.
Eldest two feed and water the animals, empty rest of dishwasher, load breakfast things. They are all expected to empty their lunchboxes after school and they each have a job to do to clear up after mealtimes.
We have a green card system at home. The children chose the rewards for themselves and do chores to earn points (2 points = a green card).
I think it is important for children to realise that in a family, EVERYONE needs to do their part in keeping the house clean and tidy, and preparing/cleaning up meals.

The green card system is a fantastic idea. Also, I'm all for starting chores at a young age too. Whole family has always done it that way and everyone's happy and successful. Thanks!!

Almost 3 year old:

• puts shoes away when coming in.
• tidy up time at end of day
• takes plate and cup out after meal
• lays table before meal
• puts laundry in hamper
• helps pick veg in the garden
• puts the dogs dinner down and tells him "off you go"

She starts preschool next week, she'll be packing her lunch box (I'll make the food, she can put it together).

Yeah, them packing their own lunch is quite important. Given you provide, it's very helpful as they get more responsibility and have around enough food. Year 3 is probably when they're making their own. Completely, every thing by themselves. I'll make hot food sometimes but it's nice for him to make sandwiches etc.

Great parenting. Good job. Quite right. Teach em young. They enjoy it and feel grown up, doing stuff just like mum and dad and if they earn treats what’s not to like

Sooner the better in my opinion. It's not like he's out sweeping chimneys!! I think it's important for children to learn what it takes to keep a family and home working well.

Of course it's fine! My daughter is a similar age and does age appropriate chores

My 1yo has been helping load and unload the washing machine since he could crawl. He helps unload the dishwasher too but I'm not quick enough putting things in the cupboards and he gets very impatient with me.

I thought all children this age love copying whatever adults do including cleaning, tidying etc

2yo here. Unloads laundry, tidies up before evening telly/stories, puts shoes away.