To ask DD to do DS’s chore now she is free for the summer

[LeGrillon]

Apologies in advance as this is quite dull! So until a few months ago, DD (16) and DS (12) used to share unloading the dishwasher and putting away shopping. Then DD negotiated with DS that she’d do the shopping and he’d do the dishwasher. He fairly quickly (but too late) realised that it was a bum deal as the dishwasher is an almost daily chore and the shopping is maybe 2 or 3 times a week. But he sucked it up because he’d agreed to it and I haven’t interfered.

Now, DD has finished GCSEs (and therefore school) and has literally nothing to do (except some nice trips) until September. DS has another month of school, and DH and I continue to work full time, so my proposal is that she takes over dishwasher duty, just until the end of term in July. So… is it reasonable to give her his job for a month? Neither of them have any other chores (maybe they should have, but that’s for another day!)

I would give her an extra chore or some summer jobs like clearing out her wardrobe, I don't think it would be fair to make her do someone else's job

Yep sounds fair to me.

I’d give her something else to do (gardening? Anything need hefting about?), but keep his job to him. Your proposal is going to seem mega unfair even though on paper it’s not.

No.

Your kids aren't doing enough as it is. The idea that a twelve year old can't both attend school and empty a dishwasher is laughable. Why does he need his extremely low contribution to the household reduced further? You're not doing them any favours.

Honestly they both need more responsibility by the sounds of it.

He should still do the dishwasher but also other household jobs and your daughter needs to start taking on more responsibilities she's 16 and doing less than my 5 year old. Jobs like emptying bins, setting the table, laundry, cooking meals, mowing the grass, hoovering and cleaning parts of the house are totally normal stuff for kids their ages.

What luxury your kids live in

At 12 I was ironing, hoovering and cooking dinner once a week. And washing/drying/putting away on rotation every day with my 2 siblings.

Omg when my daughter finished GCSE’s I had little to do for the summer. Now A-levels are over I am back in dream
land. House tidied, washing hung out, folded. She still has loads of time for friends, sport and a part time job. No way would a 16 year old only be putting the shopping away.

DS still needs a job - give DD something else additional to do.