Dear Mouthy Mommas,
My hubby and I have been arguing lately about what age is appropriate for a child to start doing chores. Not heavy lifting, mind you. But simple stuff, like loading and unloading the dishwasher, setting or clearing the dinner table, putting away their own laundry, etc. What age do you think they should pull their weight around the house? Does it matter if they are a boy or a girl? Should we pay them? I'd love to hear your opinion so I can prove him wrong!
Desperate Domestic Goddess
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Dear Desperate DG,
First and foremost, it doesn't matter if you are a boy or a girl. This is 2012 and you should know how to do the tasks required to run a household! Boys may need to do their laundry and girls may need to mow their yard without having to get a guy to do it. Although the children at our household don't have set chores that they do every week, I do expect that when asked to help with jobs around the house they participate willingly. This is part of being a family. This is part of being in a relationship: helping those that you love. This may start as early as 2 when it may mean helping mom or dad by running to grab an item, picking up toys and putting them in the basket, and progresses as they are able to accomplish bigger chores. Unless it is something that I deem out of the ordinary, I do not expect to have to pay my children to clean their room or put away their dishes. Until I get a paycheck for cooking dinner, getting the lunch (that I made and they forgot) to school and driving them to practices, games and other activities (that I pay and provide equipment for). I will make payment in small odd jobs that teach them to be better human beings and give them a fighting chance at becoming good roommates as they venture out on their own and someday, respected spouses who contribute to the needs of their own households because their mom and dad taught them it was the right thing to do.
Fight the good fight, Goddess!
See ya, Mel, TMM
P.S. I find one experience with the Clorox wipes and the toilet improves aim better than Cherrios ever could!
