Hi all. Wow! Really impressive lists everyone!
Hills sympathies re hwk/setting etc. The state system here demands that DC have to virtually decide on their career choices aged 13/14 yrs (far too young imho) as (outside of core subjects) they are forced to choose between the arts or sciences. It's all to do with some pedagogical theory about teen brain plascicity and catching them at peak academic performance (in terms of absorption of info) which, according to them, is when they are 14 & 15 yrs of age etc (which is also the age when, shall we say, the less ideal features of adolescence make themselves felt - so not an easy combination!).
Weirdly, that makes these current yrs (3ieme & 4ieme secondaire) the hardest academically, and then it eases off slightly in our equiv of sixth form (although DC start secondary a yr later here so it's not quite the same) ). Anyway the upshot of all of this is that you specialise, imho, far too early. DD is quite creative but she has gone for hard sciences because of her career choice but who knows what she will want to being doing in reality 5 yrs time?
Don't get me wrong, the level of education is very high, it's just that I would prefer DD to be able to be like my nieces and nephew in the UK and study a broad selection of subjects ie take art and maths together! After all, it must be a tiny number of students who know what they want to do in life, aged 13 yrs!! (Rant over.)
Having said all of that, this educational theory does seem to be working for DD. As many of the long-timers on this thread know, I used to be endlessly nagging DD about hwk (and showering) from the ages of about 8 yrs right up to the end of her 13th year. Then something seemed to "click" miraculously in her brain once she turned 14 and she began to be self motivated and the reason for studying seem to make sense to her. So don't give up everyone!!!
I'm not saying that there aren't still challenges (wrangling her phone off her for eg) and she's not top of the class by any means (she faces linguistic challenges and needs tutoring in two subjects) but everything is hugely better in terms of autonomy.
So just posting to say to those of you with 8-12 year olds - do not despair - there is light at the end of the tunnel!
The counter side to this though and the strangest thing about teens is that they do regress in other ways. So what used to be your eight or nine year old willing, inquisitive, nimble and competent little helper, in many cases turns almost overnight in to a surly, slow, clumsy forgetful, reluctant sloth! The thing to bear in mind, it's all about brain plasticity again (going through as many changes as a toddlers brain I think) so to a large extent, it's not their fault and they can't help it! (Even though this drives you spare! 
). So you see, you couldn't help it Afresh!!
So, going back to chore lists mentioned by Zoo and Toostressy for the above reasons, I have reduced dd's to:
-hang up coat and pair shoes on stair step
- put rubbish in bin
- put clean clothes away
- put dirty clothes in laundry panier in bedroom and bring down every Fri pm after school together with dirty sports kit
-place used mugs, cups, plates in kitchen
-hang wet towels up in bathroom to dry (and don't leave them damp on bedroom floor)
-leave phone downstairs charging at night
- remember phone, travel card, lunch, key, money on school mornings
And that is it! I confess I have given up with her doing other regular chores, although she does cook/ set table/walk dog/ empty DW on an as hoc basis and she helps with (obligatory) wkly family bed-making.
Tbh, I'm lucky if a third of first list is done, but as long as she is studying and showering without complaint, then I am happy! Although that is probably a very slack approach!
Sorry for essay! I am feeling a bit rough, stuck in surgeon's office waiting room, post tests, trying not to puke! Using Mnsnet as a distraction!
Glad the nausea has passed Afresh take it steady (if/where possible)!
So glad you had a good Sunday Cag!
Hope your day improves Callme!
Yay to crafts Whispers!
Slightly wobbly wing flaps to everyone else!