What?! Chores and child labor?

[Sonoran Silkies]

The best time to teach them is when they are young, and helping mama & daddy is fun.

My friend, as a part of their family birthday ritual for her kids added a new chore every year. I recall when her younger boy's newest was dusting/polishing the furniture in his room--2nd or 3rd grade, I think. By this point (he's a high school junior, the older is a college freshman) they can just about do everything ever needed to keep a house running, both inside and outside.

 

[danielle82]

I have a 3 year old and a 4 year old and they have chores too... I don't think its child labor, I think people should taught to take care of their home from an early age.

 

[LarryPQ]

My kids are 4 and 1...both have chores and "chores". The 4 year-old feeds the dogs, cleans up, and helps in the garden & with the chickens. My year-old gets his shoes, helps pick up, knocks the magnets off the fridge, and empties the lower cabinets.

Non-chore chores include setting the table, brushing their teeth, getting their own clothes, folding laundry, harvesting veggies, and playing fetch for mommy (like a grocery bag for a stinky diaper or a sippy cup for the baby).

They also get a sticker on the calendar--their choice-- for helping.

 

[cafarmgirl]

Age appropriate chores are great for kids. And the thing is, at this age I doubt they even feel like they are doing "chores". It gives them such a sense of accomplishment when they can learn to do something and help out. I think we do kids a great service by teaching them to be contributing members of a household so they can grow up to be contributing members of society.

 

[Iowa Roo Mom]

Quote:
Yeah, what Buff said!

 

[Countrywife]

shoot, my kids have always done chores. It teaches character.

 

[Hippie Chickie]

Welcome to the Mean Mommy Club. My girls both have chores and strict limits on their computer, tv and video game time. Non-school related use is limited to an hour a week. They don't drink soda and candy is limited to special occasions. They wash, fold and put away their own laundry, fix their bed, clean their rooms, wash dishes, feed and water both the indoor and outdoor animals and help oround the house. They are 9 and 11. They are also learning how to cook and about once a month they make dinner with a little help from a parent. My coworkers think I am mean for having them do so much and not get a lot of media time. I think that I am raising them how I was raised and I want them to be able to do things for themselves. My DH only had to pick up after himself and now he doesn't even know how to cook. Mean Mommies Unite!

 

[bargain]

How can it be child labor....There's no pay right...

.It's all in the attitude...I gave "chores" but didn't call them that.......

I watch now and see kids, teens, etc....doing nothing nothing at all to help and expect mom and dad to buy them a car, give them a credit card, buy $300 prom dresses and I just shake my head,,,,especially since in one family both parents are unemployed and the teens in the family cannot get it.....

We tried to get some occasional casual labor for the teens and guess what....they don't want to do any farm work.....It's too hard.....Sad and yet they will gladly beg anyone around them to pay for all their wishes... Oh well, don't get me started.

I helped out a lot as a child/teen. It was expected. It was done....There's not much lazy in me. I believe I developed good work ethics and fortitude, etc.

Well, I believe ....train up a child in the way it should grow......

Keep up the great parenting.

 

[babymakes6]

My parents made us do work-and we NEVER got an allowance, either. Our needs were provided, but we didn't get HALF the stuff we wanted! We had to GRADUATE high school before we were allowed to get our license, and Dad bought us each a cheap, old car to drive-BUT we had to pay for gas, insurance, tires, oil-everything! We had to get a job!
BTW: I worked on a produce farm for 8 years-hard work, just above minimum pay, and I LOVED it! I see todays teens who can't do anything besides ride their skateboards with their pants falling off (

) or hang out in the parking lots and I wonder where this country will be in 20 years.

I am only 31, btw.

 

[DawnSuiter]

The really funny part is imagining her kids in a few years

You are raising them the way I think is best

DD is 15 and still returns to my side every time she runs out of things to do to help out, IMO it's just common courtesy.. no one should have to do ALL the work in a household or family! So if I have something to do, she does it with me.. and usually vice versa. It's nice... we love it. Plenty of time to talk to each other too.