How old were your DCs when they started helping in the house?

[mumofthreekids]

My kids are 2, 4 and 6. At the moment they don't help at all in the house really, except helping to tidy their toys when you can't see the carpet in the playroom a couple of times a week.

When did your kids start doing chores? Did you have a formal rota or a general "everyone pitch in as required" approach? Any advice on which chores to give to young DCs, and how to make it run smoothly rather than become a battle?

DD is 9y and still doesn't have formal chores. She just helps out as and when. It is just part of being part of the family here - we all need to chip in a bit. DD is naturally tidy which helps as she likes a clean and tidy bedroom and playroom, so we rarely have issues over her stuff not tidy. She is expected to put her clothes in the laundry basket each day, make her bed, open her curtains, and put her dishes int he dishwasher after use. And she will automatically help with getting things on the table for dinner, and loves to cook.

I am not keen on the idea of specified chores for children but then there are only three of us here so there's no real need for it anyway.

I have given our children particular responsibilities that get done every morning. Our 5 year old clears the breakfast table, wipes it and makes her bed. Our other 5 yr old sweeps under the table, makes her bed and tidies the bathroom. I am aware of always getting the oldest children to help and letting younger ones off so I give our 3 year old a little job of making sure all the shoes are in the basket by the back door. Other than that they are expected to happily help out when asked (laying the table, tidying up, clearing table etc). For laying the table I have a printed picture on the crockery cupboard of all the things they need for laying the table - that way I dont' need to keep telling them every time. Seems to work for us.

My 2 year old helps me put his clothes away and puts his dirty washing in the laundry bag. He also helps set the table.

Mine (6,5 and !) put thier dirty clothes in the wash, crockery wither in the dishwasher, or on worktop after a meal and are expected to help generalyy when aasked - eg dusting, sweeping etc....

The 1 year old is very good at putting clothes in the wash, and rubbisdh in the bin purely from copying the others so the sooner you start the better!

DS tidies his room every day (clear floors!), helps put laundry away, puts dirty stuff in the basket (and sorts it!), clears his own stuff after dinner - he's 4. Reckon it's easier if it's just habit from the beginning.. I'm hoping!!

My eldest two (4 and 3) lay the table, clear the table and put things in the dishwasher. They tidy their toys (at a push!) and clean their room, and put dirty washing in the wash basket. They try to hoover and sweep but it's always a real mess! :o

Both my children (2 and 5) are expected to put all rubbish in the bin, put toys away before getting new ones out, put dirty clothes in washing, shoes in the box and basically not leave things laying around. This however does not always happen without reminding. Big one also cleans the bathroom, sets table, keeps her room tidy and helps when asked... sometimes. Little one can put the washing in machine and put the tablet in and turn it on. :) She also does little things she is asked. Their dad on the other hand..... Useless!

my 6 yr old will only tidy her bedroom if there is a threat of having a fave toy removed for a while. However, she will quite happily spend an hour wiping around in the bathroom and sweeping the bathroom floor without being asked!

I encourage helping me out with things but only generally ask for little jobs to be done such as pairing up her own clean socks with me, sorting out the laundry into "colours/whites" ready for the wash, setting the table and actually picking up her own toys/clothes from the lounge.

I'm trying to work on the little and often basis so that at least she will get used to tidying up after herself rather than leaving toys/clothes scattered all over the house..not sure how well it's working though :)

Heh, threat of playmobil removal is enough to get DS to do almost anything.

Actually.. I should try it to increase vegetable consumption :)

My 7yo has been helping out since he was about 2 1/2 yo.
He makes breakfast for himself and 17mo dd
Helps feed the cat
Tidies up toys of him/dd
Clears and cleans table and sweeps floor after meals.
Puts own washing in basket, tidies up his bedroom.

He does other tasks as and when necessary and all tasks are done when we are doing stuff e.g. he cleans the table and brings the dishes into the kitchen where I am cleaning up and loading the dishwasher. We very much have an atmosphere of all pitching in.