should my teen do chores and work?

Nancy - posted on 07/04/2010

STICK TO YOUR GUNS!!! It will help him in the long run of life when he's on his own, trust me. Your not asking for much, remind him that once it's done he's got the rest of the time to himself.
Unless he's will to pay his sister to do his chores out of his money? Welllll that's different just make sure it's resonable and that it's in writing.
Then he might change his mind about not wanting to do his chores. Have him think about that

Ramona - posted on 07/03/2010

Wow, Jennifer, do me a favor and keep your boys far, far away from my daughter!! The last thing a woman needs is a permnant helpless, useless man around. And, I was a SAHM for years, then went to work part time out of the house.

Ramona - posted on 07/03/2010

We see the family as team. We all do things. Since I only work part time, I do the bulk, but my kids have learned to do everything, cook, clean, etc... Who knows what life will send you, so you have to learn to budget your time for work, chores, friends, church, etc... It is part of being an adult.

Michele - posted on 07/03/2010

It teaches them responsiblity and just think of it this way,what if it was his house and he had a construction job and he came home who would wash the dishes or clean up. An you don't live there?

Julie - posted on 07/03/2010

i was a stay at home mum and my husband was never expected to help with housework on any day he was working but weekends he contributed farely. i would get the kids up, bathed and dressed while he made our breakfast. i made the dinner so he did the dishes. its all about being fare. he worked i did the housework. its not a matter of who does what but if you contribute to the mess you could at least have the common decency and respect for your mother or wife to help clean it up.

Delana - posted on 07/03/2010

Yes is is unfair to your daughter. My moto is for parents and kids your day is not over once you get home. I know if something happen to me my son and daughter could run this entire house in and out.

Jennifer - posted on 07/03/2010

I as a woman who stays at home, and want my boys to have stay at home wives, get VERY upset when my husband does housework. It is all in what you want for your children. My boys do know how to cook and clean, but that is for while they are single. Not for when they are married.

Julie - posted on 07/03/2010

does your husband help out at home when he's not working/does your son get paid for the construction summer work. dust is made up of all kinds of things especialy skin particles and construction site dust in your case. tell him if doesnt contribute to the dust he won't have to remove it. if he doesnt eat you wont be spending money on him so he doesnt have to contribute a thing. same as washing his clothes, his body, his bedding. oh and theres the furniture. if he doesnt use your house he won't have to contribute because he would have done mothing to contribute for. teenagers are a pain and sent to try us. dont let him get away with it because actualy part of it is teaching responsibility each task you do for him or tell him to do is teaching a lesson you need to be clear at which lessons you want him to learn. if you want him to learn to be a spoilt brat and make his future wife misserable then tell him he doesnt have to do a thing.

Angie - posted on 07/03/2010

Jennifer, I thought your answer was interesting. I also believe, that when possible, one of the parents should stay home with the children - not necessarily the woman. I also realize with the changing times, there are few women who want to stay home and take care of the house like my mom did - and that's okay for some families. As I am raising my children I also think about the type of husband or wife I want them to be. I want them to be loving, caring, sharing spouses. In my son's case I want him to be able to support his family financially and emotionally. With that in mind, I have taught him to do his own laundry, clean up after himself, do dishes, etc. I always say that someday he'll get married and my daughter-in-law will LOVE me - LOL.

Jennifer - posted on 07/02/2010

My oldest has worked since he was 14. I did not make him do any chores, but then again my husband does nothing in the home. While my middle child goes to college my daughter and I do all the chores. I am old fashioned and believe that it is the womans job to keep the house. My boys had chores before they were otherwise engaged. But I needed them to know if they had a job and were married their responsibility was to spend time with the family when they were not working. Not to do chores that could have been done while they were at work.
It just depends on your stance. If you believe chores should be shared by the husband and wife in a one income family then he needs to do chores. If you believe that is the "job" of the woman staying at home, then teach him that. What kind of woman do you want your boy to marry and what kind of woman do you want your girl to be.

Rowena - posted on 06/29/2010

hi there Angie i agree with you...he is old enough and he can work for his family as contribution. may be he needs more careful and wide explanation for him to understand give him some views that he is now in the stage of preparation to become a responsible man and the first step is to help his family.

Angie - posted on 06/29/2010

Do you work and then come home a do chores? Does you husband go to work and then come home and work aound the house? My 17 year old son works 40 hours a week and drives 30 minutes each way so he can work. When he comes home, he takes his turn washing dishes, cleaning the bathroom, dusting and vacuming, mowing the lawn, etc. If he doesn't want to do his chores, he has to pay his sisters to do his share.

Leslie - posted on 06/29/2010

My son is 14 and works with my husband and his family whenever he's not in school and it's farmwork, which I know is hard too. I personally believe that he should have to do chores as a contributing member of our household. As a son, he needs to know that when he grows up, he still needs to contribute to his household (wife, children, etc...) even if he works outside the house.