Saving time by making the kids do some of the work

Rebecca_Coleman · 6 July 2006 at 6:21PM

Our kids (3) have now flown the nest (thank goodness) but I am still amazed at how much most of them get away with in their own homes. Mothers (mostly) run around them, sorting our their homework as well as their clothes and rooms.
I was probably tough with my three but this is what they had to do:- Clean their own rooms; change their own beds; put their dirty washing our regularly and sort it out into labelled washing baskets eg whites, coloureds, jeans. (Zips had to be done up, pockets emptied - all clothes were washed as they were put into the baskets and no emergencies were allowed, no crying that they would die if they could not wear this particular item of clothing to go out in.) All our washing was done overnight on cheap rate electric, one load per night.
This meant that MUM had more time for herself and to keep the rest of the home running as well as going out to work. Our children were responsible for their own things, homework, sports equipment. Most people wouild be quite happy for someone else to do the dirty work for them. Make children more self-reliant. One day they will have their own homes and all this experience will be useful.
I taught my children(both sexes) to cook and do simple sewing and they grew up to realise the benefiits of budgeting well and shopping around for better prices.

Penny-Pincher!! · 6 July 2006 at 7:09PM

I agree. My DD is 11 and she has too:

Keep room tidy, make bed etc
Do her HW
Put dirty clothes in laundry room
Feed her pets and clean them out weekly
Take her plate out after dinner
Bath/Shower daily
Load DW at weekends
Hang occasional clothes out
Strip her bed on a Friday

DD can iron, cook basic things (peel veg, scrambled eggs, beans/toast, soup, noodles, toast etc), clean and tidy. Sometimes its a struggle to get her to do anything, but we cut other things till they have been done:o No TV or internet till jobs done.

PP
xx

saver_sam · 6 July 2006 at 7:45PM

I agree too, and read or saw something recently that said it was good for them to learn these types of things as it sets them up for later in life.

We encourage our 4 year old to do little things already:
help feed cats
clean hamster cage (with our help)
take plates/bowls out after meals
put clothes in laundry at end of day

she also takes part in (through her own choice) drying up, laundry loading and hanging up washing, dusting and sweeping kitchen floor. She sometimes helps with the weeding in the garden and likes to help cook, esp when making cakes, but also helps with dinners chopping bits and stirring if not too hot.

thriftlady_2 · 6 July 2006 at 8:10PM

Absolutely agree,My eldest is nearly 11 and he and his younger brother have to strip and make their beds in the school hols and strip and part-make them in term time (I put duvets in covers to save a bit of time),but soon they will be expected to do it all.

Clothes are put in laundry and hung up to dry at weekends,rubbish is taken to the dustbins,dust pan and brush regularly wielded,tables wiped and laid,dishes cleared,lunch boxes assembled,water bottles filled,toast made and spread etc etc......

MATH · 6 July 2006 at 8:20PM

I always had jobs to do as a nipper but have until recently not expected the MATHLETTS to do much at all. To be fair my Mum worked full-time where I am a SAHD. Since Mrs MATH's downturn in job and earnings I've had to do a few bits to make up some of the slack and now I've more demands on my times my three MATHLETTS (10,9 & 5) have to:

Make their own beds, draw curtains/blinds and air their rooms.
Hamper their own dirty laundry.
Shower and wash hair daily.
Return dirty crockery to the kitchen.
Dust their bedrooms and strip beds every Friday am.
10 & 9 yr old also put their clean laundry away which I leave pressed and stacked in their rooms.
At the coast where we do not have a DW they also take turns to wash and dry up although Mrs MATH is much stricter at enforcing this rule than I am!

Raksha · 6 July 2006 at 8:42PM

Too right - #2 son empties the dishwasher every evening after tea. #3 son sorts the recycling. They both keep their own room tidy (and if it's without being nagged they get a small pocket money bonus) This includes sorting their own washing and putting it away (I've labelled their draws to make it easier) They get their own breakfast every morning, and make their own lunchboxes. They also clear down before going to school in the morning, and stack their plates after tea.

Sadly, their Dad isn't as well trained, and for the moment, I've cut back on my hours at work so I can catch up with the housework that has built up. I'm hoping the financial cut backs will drive him to help more....

comping_cat · 6 July 2006 at 9:01PM

Both mine (DS9 and DD8) have to put their laundry in the basket, keep their rooms clean, clear their dishes away (put on the draining board) and put their clothes away once its been washed. They also have to bath and shower, but i do need to give them a hand with the shower, as they cannot reach it to turn it on or off!!!!! They love it when i find little jobs for them to do, DS has recently learnt how to make a cup of tea, and during the holidays im hoping to teach them both a few more things to cook on their own.

davesgirl_2 · 6 July 2006 at 9:02PM

definatley agree. i was never allowed to do anything as a child (we got in the way:rolleyes: ) anyway i got my own place at 16 and had my first child at 18 and was cluless

have now thankfully taught myself to cook clean iron ect but really could have done with it sooner.
am really trying with my children , 6yrs, 3yrs and 2yrs, to teach themto be able to do things for themselves:D

bulchy · 6 July 2006 at 9:17PM

Since I became a SAHM, my 2 have done less and less, something which I've started to change over the last few weeks. They can both cook simple meals, DD loves cooking and trying out new recipes, DS helps with hoovering, both do dishes, both help feed dogs and cats when asked, but keeping there bedrooms tidy is a struggle, am getting there with the help of bribery, we're starting to give them pocket money on the condition that they help more. Reading through these posts has been helpful, as I realise they should be doing more.
Sue

bluenose1 · 6 July 2006 at 9:38PM

I make my 2 eldest sons (13 and 10) do jobs.
They have to

empty dishwasher
wash breakfast dishes and put away
hang washing out and bring it in.
play footy against their will with their youngest brother (age 3) while I tidy.
put their clothes away.
now and again they make their own sandwiches

They rarely do it willingly but as I tell them it is my "gift":rotfl: to them so that they will be self sufficient. They are not amused.

In the Summer hols I am going to teach the eldest to iron, a "gift" I know he would like to refuse.

However they do have plenty of play time. I have seen programmes on tv were the parents let the kids do everything while they lie in bed. I think it is important to get the balance right.
Regards
Anne

troll35 · 6 July 2006 at 9:56PM

My DS (9) has to make his bed, make sure his washing is in the wash basket and keep his room reasonably tidy (I say reasonably because we don't seem to be naturally tidy people in our house). He has to empty the dishwasher and he is responsible for emptying all the bins which includes sorting all recycling stuff into appropriate bins (he won't go near the compost bin though due to the fruit flies:)) He often makes his own breakfast (cereal or toast or a sandwich) and he can cook a simple meal eg fish fingers/sausages, baked potatoes and peas/sweetcorn. I think he does prety well and I'm very proud of him:)

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Saving time by making the kids do some of the work

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