what chores do your dc have? want to encourage responsibility in the house

[kitkat9]

ds1 has just turned 5 and I want to start giving him regular jobs around the house - nothing major or time-consuming, but more to help him realise that it's not just up to mummy to do all the housework.

Dh's mum did everything for him and although he's miles better now, when I met him he didn't even own a washing machine or vacuum - his mum used to go to his flat, collect his washing, do it all right down to ironing it and bring it back! I was flabbergasted - I had been doing my own laundry since I was a young teenager as well as plenty of stuff around the house...

Anyway, I want my dc to grow knowing that housework is everyone's responsibilty and not just the females of the house. He likes to help dust and polish and will wave the vacuum around - he doesn't achieve much but it's a start! He also helps dh take the bins out, he feeds the cats...but he huffs and delays when I tell him to tidy up his toys, forgets to out his dirty clothes in the laundry basket etc

So I need suggestions that are simple enough for a 5 year old, and how to keep him motivated. Also have a 2 year old dd - suggestions for her too?

The jobs I get my 4 and 6 year old charges are:
Throwing laundry down the stairs at the end of the day
Putting toys away
Turn lights out
Make their beds (which I redo)
Bring their cups down stairs - theyhave water at night
Keep their bedroom/play areas tidy
Lay the table
Clear their plates of the table and onto the draining board.
Put coat/shoes away
Put school book bags in the same place
Open their curtains

They also help with sweeping the floor, hoovering, polishing.

The 2 year old will:
Put shoes, coat away
Tidy bedroom/living areas
Help load the washing machine

My 4 yo DD helps to feed the cats, gets things from the fridge (under supervision!) for meals etc. She's also very good at tidying up her own toys and her little brother's (8 months old). She also puts her clothes in the linen basket, tidies her room when asked, can put her clothes away in drawers and helps with hanging out washing etc.

It's all quite messy, though, and quite often I have to re-do stuff afterwards. She's also really into washing up! She loves washing the car with DH and 'helping' him to clean and maintain his bike. Anything messy, really!

No real help with motivation. I tend to say that we'll go to the playground etc. after she's put toys away. I have a friend who gives pocket money, but I feel that 4 is a bit young for that.

Good luck!

wiht my 4yo - since he was 2 he has tidied up his toys downstairs and bedroom before bed every night and durign the day if I want to hoover say (though at first we helped him, now he does it by himself).

He also clears his plates/cups and puts them in sink when he's finished eating.

He brings down his hot water bottle and any empty cups in morning (when I bring mine down).

Puts his dirty washing in basket (when nagged - his preferred method is to fling it under bed).

He's also started to help with dishwasher, he wipes down tables when I am cleaning and helps me hoover. He's good at dusting too. He tends to help me around the house cleaning when I am doing it. Helps put washing in the machine and little jobs like that.

empty the dishwasher
take out the compost to the green bin
take out the rubbish to the black bin (tis only a supermarket bag full)
make her own bed

these have to be done preety much everyother day - appart from the rubbish rubbish which is only once a week.

Ahh I forgot she will pop up for me and get all the dirty washing when I ask and she always lays te table when I ask - sometimes with mats sometimes without depending on her dreamy state!

with motivation I tend to find ds will do it if I am doing it - so he's better if he's helping me.

Also rewards like - if you clear up your toys you can watch telly before you go to bed else you go to bed now.

oh and he helps dp sort the recycling and put it into the right bins

Also I bribe ds by promising to play with him - e.g. I'll play lego with him or make him an obstacle course but first he needs to tidy up so there is room.

Message withdrawn

thanks for the replies...

know what you mean about 'helping' then having to redo! but at least they're getting used to doing stuff to help out.

5 year old understands the whole 'tidy up or no xxx' but 2 year old seems to have no concept of actions leading to consequence as yet - hoping this will come soon as it's hard to bribe her

might put up a rewards chart too.

DS (5) cleaned a downstairs window with a soapycloth and his water pistol yesterday. He did a surprisingly good job.

My ds1 (3.5) is responsible for putting his dirty clothes in the hamper, cleaning up his toys, and putting the placemats, forks, spoons and napkins on the table.

DD makes her bed every day and puts her clothes in the washing basket. She gets 50p a week for that.

She also tidies away toys, general tidies, sets table when asked etc.