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Chores with wide age ranges

Tamara - posted on 05/21/2010 ( 2 moms have responded )

10,839

65

I have two teens and two young school aged kids, I have slacked on chores for a while and now we are getting back in the swing of things around the house. I know that the fights and things are bound to happen with any change I am determined to make this work this time I usually try then they fight and say to myself fine ill just do it. I know I am not doing them or myself any favors doing everything for them.

Anywhos, I am in the process of making the chart, getting kinda stuck since they are different ages they can do different levels of the same job. I am thinking of they are changed daily, then one of the little ones one day and one of the older two the next the jobs will be getting done right on those days. Has anyone tried something like this? I did think about having them partner up on these but figured the fighting may be worse if I do.

So any advice on this or other advice on getting them going on chores and sticking with it would be greatly appreciated.

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2 Comments

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Heather - posted on 06/19/2010

18

56

That is a tricky one! And different things work for different people. This is what works for me:

My teenager knows exactly what is expected of her. She knows what chore, when, and how to do it. She has to do her chores on time every week without me reminding her in order to get paid. And if she doesn't, not only does she not get her money, she also loses her cell phone. She has to do her chores as expected for an entire week to get the phone back. (no making up on the money, she just misses out)

My elementary age kids do things like folding laundry, putting toys away, clear dishes off the table after a meal, windexing windows and mirrors. I don't pay them money. I will take them to the dollar store or target or something and let them pick something out as a reward. And I do remind them pretty much every day. My 9 year old is starting to catch on and will fold laundry before I ask her, but all the other ones I still have to tell her to do.

The big thing that cuts back on the arguing over chores in my house is making sure each kid knows exactly what they are supposed to be doing. And they are not allowed to tell each other what to do. EVER. Made a very strict rule to mind their own business and let mom handle telling everyone what to do.

Hope that gives you a couple of ideas to try! :)

Lucy - posted on 05/22/2010

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60

chores the ban of every parents exsistance...personally I think the first thing you need to lay out is your exspectations of them...and partnering up can be good and it can be bad....just depends on the personalties involved... I have weekly chores that rotate and my husband and I help the yoounger ones on our days off/weekend that way thre is less fighting...On the other hand though if you have the kids do stuff toghter it can help with thier fighting I tryed both ways and found more sucess with the older kids doing htier own chores ...it is not always the best though as it does not seem to matter what you do they rebel against everything :o) fun times

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