What household chores are your teenagers expected to do at home?

[ElleJayC]

Exactly as the title says really. I’m trying to make some changes at home but don’t really know what the norm is - or if there even is a norm where teens are concerned. I don’t feel mine do enough (my fault entirely so be kind to me please!). They’re not lazy by any stretch of the imagination but I think we need to change the dynamic around contributing to running the family home. Wondered what other teens were doing so I can see where mine fit! Almost 13, 15 and 17. Boys but I don’t think gender should make the slightest difference. Thanks

My list of "chores" for teens would take about 15 minutes a day and 30 minutes on Sunday. If your teens have so much school and homework that they wouldn't find the time, then I suggest they are doing too much.

If I was doing all the chores instead that would be about an hour extra a day of housework for me. I'm not the unpaid maid for people that are capable of doing things for themselves.

My 15 year old has to empty the dishwasher every day, sweep the floors downstairs every day, do the dishes 4 days a week and cook once.

This. If they have lots of schoolwork and hobbies, they just have to fit chores around them.

For the people who don't make their kids do chores please stop sending useless men (I know I said men) into the world.

This is exactly the same in my house!.14 year old eldest, 11year old middle and 6 year old youngest!
My eldest does the dishwasher everyday, tidies her room every week and puts her washing away. With the different sports and school work she does I dont feel I would want to add more. She will also look after her younger sister if I am dropping the middle to clubs etc. I do link pocket money to chores as I want her to understand you have to work for money. I do also get the argument that there shouldnt be payment just for contributing to family life though.
Middle son walks the dog on a morning and with prompting does his room and puts washing away and 6 year old always makes her own bed and tidies her room and tidies the porch/shoes away. She would do more, but it wouldnt really 'help'!

Mine are 15 and 16. Take bins out.
Empty dishwasher
Bring shopping in.
Feed cats.
Make their own beds.
Hoovering.

The two we have at home still probably dont do enough in our house.
They do the dishes after dinner every night. They know this is a non negotiable and they do it without asking.

Other than that- I don't clean their end of the house. We expect them to clean and tidy their rooms and clean their own bathroom. They also have to wash their own clothes. However this doesn't get done without me nagging them.

Help with clearing up after meals, loading and empty tying dishwasher.

Putting away clean clothes.

Stripping bed and making it.

Hoovering ( when asked).

Sort their breakfast out.

other jobs, when asked. Eg, put bin out.

i didn’t expect them to do washing or ironing, or regularly cook, although when they were older, often did the Sunday roast.

I agree with you both! I just make sure they have the skills before they leave for uni. Then they’re actually excited to learn these things.

They know I like them to keep their rooms in a decent state though and I’ve taught them to leave areas nice for the next person, eg. not leaving hairs or toothpaste stuck to the bathroom sink.

I expect mine to do whatever needs doing, so they dont have a list, but as teenagers my sons are capable of doing whatever needs doing, and more importantly, seeing that it needs doing.

we’re a family, we look out for each other and our home. They are capable of seeing when a bin bag needs changing, when the pets need feeding, or the litter tray needs emptying.

when I had surgery and was out of action for a week, I didn’t need to think twice about giving them a list or checking things were done. They can look after a home, shop, and cook a family meal. On the flip side, in exam weeks etc, I don’t expect any of that from them.

the last thing I want as a parent is to have sent two more useless men out into the world for potential future spouses to have to cope with!

Cook tea twice a week.. its a meal plan meal.
My child is very good at.cooking and has a talent also teaches vital life skill
Laundry
Loads or unloads dishwasher when I cook
Other child likes to mow a section of the lawns...
Depends on a skill they are good at too.
Sometimes I leave the chores depending on moods, sick days etc.of course.or we have a lazy few days.

My DD does everything, mostly without being asked. If we are out at work when we come home she will have dusted, vacuumed and done the washing. She mows the lawn too!

Mine are 14 and 18. It's just the three of us at home and we're all very busy during the week with work / school / sport etc.

We have one night a week (usually bin night) where we get all the jobs done. We all set to and it takes about an hour.

Other than that, I expect everyone to tidy as they go. It's a bit of a work in progress.

These are the men who move in with a woman and 'just don't see mess'/'didn't realise the kids need feeding every day' because mummy always did everything for them at home while working full time with a smile on her face.

What a weird response. For a start, it’s their ‘drudge work’. If they wear clothes, it is their job to pick them up off the floor. If they eat food, the dirty dishes are their job too. But also, it’s your job as a parent to make your children independent of you and able to function in the world. Part of that is knowing how to cook, clean, do laundry, iron etc.

DH and I went away for a weekend when DC were 19 and 17.
We came home to find the house hoovered, the kitchen cleaned and dinner cooking. We hadn't asked for or expected any of this, but it was a wonderful feeling to realise that we'd raised thoughtful and capable children, rather than ones that were used to having everything done for them.

Meantime DD is moving into a house next year with someone who can only cook chicken and rice which she has every other day in rotation with putting pizza in the oven, and has begged DD for cooking lessons. Yes, I am judging her parents.