trying to set up chores for a multifamily house hold.

I think Travis is old enough for trash duty. Maybe help out in the yard? I know we had our son help pick up the yard at that age when we mowed or raked leaves. Abby should at least be old enough to do the same as your girls, but maybe with a little help. She should be able to take her sheets off the bed to help wash them. Good luck with the 3 year old!

 

Boys should have to do dishes... IMHO... Train them early

 

Pair younger kids with older ones, but alternate the pairings. Set up a weekly chart of chores and wither alternate who does what according to day or keep the list for a week and rotate to the next the following week.

Things to include are setting the table (be sure to TEACH how you want it set), clearing dishes after dinner, clearing away leftover food after dinner, washing dishes (whether it is loading the dishwasher or filling the sink and washing them in it). Making salads and other simple tasks that require little use of knives. Straightening bathroom counters and wiping them and the sink, dusting furniture, taking out the trash, making beds, putting away toys, books, etc. watering plants, feeding pets, sorting laundry, folding clothes, etc.

Some of these tasks are beyond the 3 year old, but he can help with teh ones that are not. He is not likely to be really helpful, but it gets him in the habit early.

 

I'll be watching this thread like a hawk.



I never had chores. My kids never had chores. Never could come up with any organized homekeeping, its depressing. Grew up in squallor, so did DH.

I keep trying to get everyone to do their own laundry, of that I'm proud. I've had a little success. Now everybody has their OWN hamper, to help prevent DH's method of a giant pile in front of the washer and a giant heap of wrinkled things on MY bed waiting to get sorted.

A few times a week I help each kid through the whole process, and now My Washer and Dryer are clean and happy, and everybody has their own socks. In their drawers. Ready to wear.

So, the rest of homekeeping life awaits. I am counting on you.

Edited to add: unfortunately I am hardly ever home. I have every other weekend off, but tend to get home by 7pm each night. I leave for my job at 06:10. I do have unscheduled "on call" days, maybe twice a month. that's the wrench thrown in there, that I'm trying to homekeep while not at home.

 

Wait a minute.......one chore has been forgotten. Who is collecting the eggs??

 

I've always heard to involve the toddlers, that they love to help, and they'll be so used to help by the time they're 8 it won't be like a chore to them. Somebody told me loading a dishwasher was good, but they must have kept only unbreakable dishes?

 

You might be interested in checking out myjobchart.com. It involves them getting on the computer and marking off chores they have done. You can assign chores, and they can buy rewards. You can customize it to fit your household, and it is fairly easy to figure it. It really motivated my children to get their chores done.
My kids love it. My sister is using it too and she likes it.
But...It doesn't work as well for my 5 year old. My sis-n-law used it also for her 5 year old and said it doesn't work on him either. I think it's an age thing. They have to be a little older to be motivated and see that work pays off to get the reward.

 

my 4 year old puts away silverware and also helps by picking out silverware and putting it on the table for dinner. we also have gotten into the routine at bedtime by bath and such its rough you will manage