chores?

Just wondering what everyone's kids do, and at what ages. So far my
kids' chores are pretty minimal. Set/clear the table, take out the
trash, clean their rooms, put away the laundry.... It's springtime and
I'm ready to put them to work washing cars and weeding. What else?

lm

"lm" wrote ...


Just wondering what everyone's kids do, and at what ages. So far my
kids' chores are pretty minimal. Set/clear the table, take out the
trash, clean their rooms, put away the laundry.... It's springtime and
I'm ready to put them to work washing cars and weeding. What else?


you forgot 'Chimney Sweeping'...

;-)

n

"lm" wrote in message
...
Just wondering what everyone's kids do, and at what ages. So far my
kids' chores are pretty minimal. Set/clear the table, take out the
trash, clean their rooms, put away the laundry.... It's springtime and
I'm ready to put them to work washing cars and weeding. What else?

lm

Well Laura, this is a hot topic in our household these days. Talk about a
source of frustration! I started giving chores to my bunny boy a couple
years ago with an allowance. I have a pretty clever kid that has a talent
to finding that "gray" area. Add that to a talent for math and he quickly
learned cash flow forecasting. Foiled. "It's ok, Mom, I have $X right now
so I don't need my allowance this week. I'm going to skip my chores."

Sigh.

My fiancee's thoughts for this is a different approach. We know that giving
him an allowance for chores is not teaching him anything about earning
money. Not when it's applied at home. He understands earning money through
work well enough. Last winter he would go out shoveling driveways for other
people to pick up some quick cash, but our driveway? Nuthin doin'! Now we
are taking the approach of showing responsibility and contributing to the
family.

He's great with the dog. How's yours by the way? I seem to recall that
your family got a pup around the same time as we did. We brought Tinker
Belle home in November. Hmmmm, now that I think about it, maybe that was
Kim. LOL, she just told me it's time to eat. Not before she gave me a big
sleepy hug after her nap though! That's was the dog, not Kim.

So anyways, beyond looking after the dog, this summer we are just going to
let him be a kid. A boy and his dog and a wedding to help plan. We have
explained that there will be times that we will need his help around the
house and yard because, well, he lives here too, right? Stuff needs to get
done, simple as that. We will not be assigning specific tasks that he is
responsible for each week, but together, we'll get things done. We're hoping
that this will eliminate, or at least reduce arguments and complaints. He
works really hard in school, gets great grades and that's where I prefer to
focus now. Conversation is a lot happier when we talk success instead of
harping on him when he didn't get some chore done. We'll see how is goes,
so far so good though.

Rose coloured glasses in the garden this spring sounds pretty good to me!

Lisa

I'm terrible at making them do chores. Now that they are older and want more
money I find paying them to do stuff is a great motivator. Yes I know I should
make them do more just because it's part of the family blah blah blah - but
it's such a hassle, they do a lousy job if they aren't motivated and I'm just
too lazy to ride them about it.

Joelle
The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page - St
Augustine
Joelle

"Joelle" wrote in message
...
I'm terrible at making them do chores. Now that they are older and want
more
money I find paying them to do stuff is a great motivator. Yes I know I
should
make them do more just because it's part of the family blah blah blah -
but
it's such a hassle, they do a lousy job if they aren't motivated and I'm
just
too lazy to ride them about it.

I know that feeling


Joelle
The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page - St
Augustine
Joelle

On Tue, 27 Apr 2004 14:42:00 +0100, "Nick" wrote:


"lm" wrote ...


Just wondering what everyone's kids do, and at what ages. So far my
kids' chores are pretty minimal. Set/clear the table, take out the
trash, clean their rooms, put away the laundry.... It's springtime and
I'm ready to put them to work washing cars and weeding. What else?


you forgot 'Chimney Sweeping'...

Oh, you're right, and gutter cleaning as long as they're up there.

lm

On Tue, 27 Apr 2004 10:19:01 -0400, "Lisa" wrote:


"lm" wrote in message
.. .
Just wondering what everyone's kids do, and at what ages. So far my
kids' chores are pretty minimal. Set/clear the table, take out the
trash, clean their rooms, put away the laundry.... It's springtime and
I'm ready to put them to work washing cars and weeding. What else?

lm

Well Laura, this is a hot topic in our household these days. Talk about a
source of frustration! I started giving chores to my bunny boy a couple
years ago with an allowance. I have a pretty clever kid that has a talent
to finding that "gray" area. Add that to a talent for math and he quickly
learned cash flow forecasting. Foiled. "It's ok, Mom, I have $X right now
so I don't need my allowance this week. I'm going to skip my chores."

He'll make a great sales executive someday. That's my little brother.
He works hard, to be sure, but he also gets a % of what his staff
earns. Nice.

Sigh.

My fiancee's thoughts for this is a different approach. We know that giving
him an allowance for chores is not teaching him anything about earning
money. Not when it's applied at home. He understands earning money through
work well enough. Last winter he would go out shoveling driveways for other
people to pick up some quick cash, but our driveway? Nuthin doin'! Now we
are taking the approach of showing responsibility and contributing to the
family.

He's great with the dog. How's yours by the way? I seem to recall that
your family got a pup around the same time as we did. We brought Tinker
Belle home in November. Hmmmm, now that I think about it, maybe that was
Kim. LOL, she just told me it's time to eat. Not before she gave me a big
sleepy hug after her nap though! That's was the dog, not Kim.

Yup, that was us. Susie joined us in October I think. We went through
a "do I have to?" phase with walking and feeding her (near-record
snowfall this winter didn't help) but they've gotten into a routine
with caring for her and the cat. We've even got four fish now, but I
must admit they get fed rather sporadically.

So anyways, beyond looking after the dog, this summer we are just going to
let him be a kid. A boy and his dog and a wedding to help plan. We have
explained that there will be times that we will need his help around the
house and yard because, well, he lives here too, right? Stuff needs to get
done, simple as that. We will not be assigning specific tasks that he is
responsible for each week, but together, we'll get things done. We're hoping
that this will eliminate, or at least reduce arguments and complaints. He
works really hard in school, gets great grades and that's where I prefer to
focus now. Conversation is a lot happier when we talk success instead of
harping on him when he didn't get some chore done. We'll see how is goes,
so far so good though.

How are the wedding plans coming along? Will it be a big one? When
will it be? Will you post pics?

lm

On 27 Apr 2004 18:15:12 GMT, oaway (Joelle) wrote:

I'm terrible at making them do chores. Now that they are older and want more
money I find paying them to do stuff is a great motivator. Yes I know I should
make them do more just because it's part of the family blah blah blah - but
it's such a hassle, they do a lousy job if they aren't motivated and I'm just
too lazy to ride them about it.

Whatever works. Right now the family blah blah blah works for my guys
-- they're young and we *bought* this place rather than rented so it's
still an adventure to work on it. Later I'm sure money will play a
bigger part.

lm

"lm" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 27 Apr 2004 10:19:01 -0400, "Lisa" wrote:


He's great with the dog. How's yours by the way? I seem to recall that
your family got a pup around the same time as we did. We brought Tinker
Belle home in November. Hmmmm, now that I think about it, maybe that was
Kim. LOL, she just told me it's time to eat. Not before she gave me a
big
sleepy hug after her nap though! That's was the dog, not Kim.

Yup, that was us. Susie joined us in October I think. We went through
a "do I have to?" phase with walking and feeding her (near-record
snowfall this winter didn't help) but they've gotten into a routine
with caring for her and the cat. We've even got four fish now, but I
must admit they get fed rather sporadically.




Wow,,,,talk about the food chain!





How are the wedding plans coming along? Will it be a big one? When
will it be? Will you post pics?

lm

Wedding plans are coming along nicely (I think), thanks for asking. I have
been procrastinating the tedious guest list. But, I know that we need to
narrow it down soon. Location is set, colours chosen, some of the dresses
selected, no tuxes yet, flowers selected, waiting for prices, need a couple
more decisions for the dinner, some transportation logistics to work out,
still have to draft the invitation, make a paper choice, completed the
marriage prep course last weekend, need to decide on readings and music for
the service..........ok, I gotta stop now.

Wedding plans are kinda like a big "ToDo" list. I take back what I said.

Lisa

On Tue, 27 Apr 2004 19:57:02 GMT, lm
wrote:

On 27 Apr 2004 18:15:12 GMT, oaway (Joelle) wrote:

I'm terrible at making them do chores. Now that they are older and want more
money I find paying them to do stuff is a great motivator. Yes I know I should
make them do more just because it's part of the family blah blah blah - but
it's such a hassle, they do a lousy job if they aren't motivated and I'm just
too lazy to ride them about it.

Whatever works. Right now the family blah blah blah works for my guys
-- they're young and we *bought* this place rather than rented so it's
still an adventure to work on it. Later I'm sure money will play a
bigger part.

lm

I'm too lazy to ride 'em too, and that's part of why I did the same
family thing you're doing. I also made 'em do their own laundry
starting at ten. Saved me being harassed to get clothing item X ready
at the last minute. I didn't like to tie allowance to chores because I
figure they should contribute to the family regardless. After all, *I*
do. But I expect help when I ask for it. However, it's also that I'm
lazy. And busy.

Cele