do your teens help out at weekends

[Ceci03]

So 18 year old and 13 year old are out meeting friends today, which is great, I'm happy. Tomorrow they will be lolling about, doing a bit of homework, watching tv etc.
I'm feeling very overwhelmed with housework, and garden work. Havent been in the back garden since before xmas. Front covered in leaves and weeds.

am renting and have a house inspection on tuesday so need to get hte whole house clean and tidy. Also have to cook dinner.
I know, we all have to do that right.

I feel like crying, cos I don't want to do it.

I need to cop on don't I. I'm just so tired. Feeling sorry for myself.

Well I can't see why you can't all get in the front garden with brushes, rakes, bits of cardboard for scraping together to pick up leaves or a dustpan, and put them in bin bags. The harder they work the sooner they sit down.

@Midlifemusings

Don't make dinner tonight. You can eat without cooking meals on days where there is just too much to be done.

Make a list. Tell the kids you need help and that passing the house inspection is everyone's responsibility. Get them to help you with the list and treat them to a dinner out tomorrow as a thank you for doing more than their regular chores.

Thanks but I have a chicken on it's last day that i have to cook

Just remembered dd is out tomorrow :)

Ok definitely getting off my backside now

Argh! Yes! I'm SO annoyed today!

DSD10 and DSD 16 (nearly 11 and 17, both live here full time) have sat watching the ALL DAY. I'm 33 weeks pregnant and in trouble with PGP, DH is obviously doing the lions share at the moment as I just can't stand for very long! We've explained the situation to the girls, but they are unwilling to assist with anything. Totally blank the need to contribute to the house. Never did at their mums, don't see the need to here.

DH and I have been on an online NCT course this morning - I then came up to bed (back/pelvic pain and sickness)

In the 20 minute Zoom break we made lunch and tea/coffee for everyone, swept the kitchen/hall, emptied and reloaded the dishwasher, let the dogs out, and cleared up the post breakfast carnage. They sat and watched us, and then complained at the sausage sandwiches that were given to them (would have preferred bacon).

Im that pissed off with the pair of lazy buggers doing nothing, I'm on a washing strike. I don't need anything doing, DH doesn't need anything doing - if they want uniforms (they obviously have spare, but their 'favourite skirts/jumpers' etc), work clothes, preferred leggings etc need doing, they can get off their arses and do something to help!

Sorry. Rant over.

What is dd out at tomorrow?
Mine dont go out till work is done
Amazing how much 4 of us can do when we need to be out the door in 30 mins!! Focuses the mind lol

DD (17) regularly puts her clothes in the laundry basket and away once washed, strips and washes her own bed.

She will generally help out if asked eg running the hoover over, washing up, tidying the living room etc.

I've been out for the day today and she's gone to the shops and is cooking for me when I get in.

She could do a bit more, and without prompting, but I'm not working atm and she works her arse off...3 A-levels, EPQ plus 16 hours work a week,driving lessons and 5 gym sessions. I have never had to chivvy her along to get up or do homework etc so I'm happy to cut her some slack while I can.

Yes I have teens who take on some of the responsibility which also means helping out with garden stuff too.

When we come back from the supermarket they are to held unload the stuff from bags and help put it away. They would make a family dinner together every Friday night plus act as assistant chef in the week, one at a time with a parent cooking and therefore teaching them how to cook.

They are each responsible for a bin which gets emptied on set days, dishwasher emptying, stripping their beds putting it into the washing machine and putting it back on their beds. We all clear the table/kitchen after dinner, no one sits down until everything is done, table wiped, worktops etc.

I think having set days to do things as well is good as schedules are easier to remember. The 18 year old should be making at least two family dinners a week. All good practise for either uni or for when they move out. It should not all be down to you. Sit down with them and menu plan, sort out what they can cook independently or start now with teaching them.

My dd (13) pulls her weight around the house, she keeps her room tidy, takes turns at feeding/sorting dogs and other pets, brings washing down, takes recycling out, clears plates after dinner and today whilst I was cleaning out the fridge she took the hoover out and did the whole house. She knows the more she mucks in the more time we have for fun things. Tomorrow is a trip to a nearby town for a stroll and a coffee so she knows that only happens if jobs get done. DH also pulls his weight, I’ve always been very clear that they don’t “help” me, the housework is not my job alone.

Yes mine are really good. We clean the house on a Saturday morning - they all do that - we take it in turns to do different floors. Then they take a turn doing a long dog walk - one on a Saturday, one on a Sunday. Will do a few other jobs if I ask.

They cook during the week, not usually at the weekend although dd (17) will cook on a Sunday sometimes.

Reading these with envy. Teen and pre teen DSC do little round the house. They think nothing of sitting on their phones watching us run around putting away their clothes that have been retrieved from pile on floor, washed and hung up for them. DSS1 won't even get anyone else a glass of water or cutlery at meal times. No cleaning, no washing up, and any tidying is under constant supervision and duress. I'm seriously tempted to show DP this thread. He just keeps picking their clothes up off the floor for an 'easy life' and expecting me to do the same.