What are typical chores for boys?

Sherell - posted on 07/19/2011

In today's society, I think don't a child's chores should be based on his/her sex. I have 2 girls and they do everything that, typically a girl would do, ie. (laundry and dishes) but they also feed, walk and wash their dogs. The older one also learned how to cut the grass, this was her choice. If I had a son, I would want him to be just as self-sufficient as my daughters, so he would have to do all of the things that any person living in my house would be responsible for. We all share duties in my house.

Teresa - posted on 07/11/2011

Chickens, huh? We had some and they were the nastiest things I have ever had to care for. Had my son been older when we had them THAT would've been his chore!

Teresa - posted on 07/11/2011

taking out the trash, emptying dishwasher and taking care of the chickens.

Teresa - posted on 07/08/2011

I didn't have chores growing up as a child, and I can see a difference. I have friends that freak if their house is any bit out of order. I don't.I clean my house but it is not picture perfect. My seven year old does know he has to pick up his toys and anything he has drug out. He must keep his room clean and put his dirty clothes in the pile. He has started expressing interest in cooking and so we have started letting him help with that. Dishes, I do. Laundry, i do. Whenever we ask him to do something he does it. The garbage is usually too heavy for him, but he likes to "help" take it out. You'll know when they are ready for chores. School work is so hard nowadays that we really emphasize homework and he is in cub scouts and dance, and that is really helping with responsibilty, especially when others are involved. As he gets older I will get him more involved in the day to day housework and it won't be gender specific.

Darlene - posted on 07/08/2011

Hi, You didn't mention a age, and that is a factor to consider. For example you could get a toddler that's walking to pick up their toys and place them in the proper place after playing, and as they get older you can include more.

I remember visiting a friend's home I hadn't seen since high school and as I peered into her kitchen I saw a lil boy washing dishes, and he was standing on a wooden stand to reach the sink! I was amazed and asked her his age, she replied 7 and he even washed pots and pans and she said he did it well. My son started the next week (he was 9 at the time and if he tried to be slack about doing it not so well, I would redirect him to the dishes he didn't do correctly and he would redo them, He finally realized I wasn't gonna recant and now he's 21 and does a wonderful job...my daughter too. I had the same questions about what chores and age accountability, just consider your child and what things need to be done in a day and if you think they can help or do it independently let them try, and its okay if its a challenge because that's a part of life and it will teach them life skills about not giving up if somethings difficult. Keep a goal in mind when you choose a chore to and that can be a guide as well. My kids also started ironing and my daughter 18 is like an expert at it, does my husbands uniforms and daily he gets compliments on how sharp his creases are. Makes me proud...and it helps lighten your load, cause Lord knows we wear more hats than we can count sometimes. Hope this helps. Blessings.

Shawnn - posted on 07/07/2011

Um...there's supposed to be different skill sets for the different genders? I thought that went out in the 50's!

Your son can do any chore that your daughter can do! And vice versa. Giving them "boy" chores and "girl" chores only reinforces a gender gap that shouldn't exist.

Now, you should also teach him chivalry...because I do expect my boys to hold doors, hold coats, assist in and out of cars, etc.

Katie - posted on 07/06/2011

My son likes to do dishes, cook, sweep, dust, you name it!!

Julie - posted on 06/07/2011

Give them age appropriate chores:
emptying the garbage
helping with the dishes
helping with the cooking
carrying heavy objects for the females in the family
mowing the lawn
shoveling the walk
learning to do laundry although I don't think any child should have to do their own until they are out on their own

Lisa - posted on 06/07/2011

I believe most every chore a girl does a boy can do. We are raising kids to be responible adults and that goes for both boys and girls. I believe any male that can handle himself in, around and on the outside of a house is a good catch for a young lady

Lauren - posted on 06/07/2011

my son (5) feeds the cat, helps with laundry, cleans up his room/ cleans all his toys up at the end of the day and dusts..we live in an apartment so there's no yard work to be done but if we did i'm sure he would probably enjoy it!

Angela - posted on 06/07/2011

tidying the bedroom, or I also get my 6 year old to set the dinner table

Angela - posted on 06/07/2011

tidying the bedroom, or I also get my 6 year old to set the dinner table

Iva - posted on 06/06/2011

My son does everything I do - dishes, dinner, laundry, vacuuming, bathrooms. He does a lot of what his father does - outside yard maintenance, etc

Melodie - posted on 06/06/2011

I have 2 boys and they know how to do everything a girl can do. That even means cooking. My husband wanted them to know how to do it. He said when he was single nobody else was going to wash and iron his clothes so he had to. And if he wanted to eat he had to cook it himself. Don't limit them just because they are boys. When I had surgery in February my kids and husband stepped up and the house stayed clean and everyone had clean underwear and good healthy food to eat. I also feel the same way about girls I don't have any but when I was a kid I had to work in the yard and clean out the garage. No chore should be limited by gender.

Carlena - posted on 06/06/2011

Honestly? All chores can be done by both genders. Their future spouse will thank you. My have 4 children ages 13 to 1yrs old. The younger 3 are boys, and trust me they all do the same chores. My 1yr old has started to help put his toys away. He LOVES to put things in buckets...granted he takes them back out sometimes, but it's a start. lol! My 4yr old LOVES to help me with laundry (putting clothes in the washer/dryer, clothes in the basket to be hung up), washes the windows/screen door with windex and napkins, loves to help with dishes - no matter who's doing them (he's always soaked by the end. lol.), he gathers up all the small garbage bags from the sm. garbage cans on garbage day, he loves to swiffer the floor, picks up his toys, straightens up his room with help, helps pull the weeds in the garden and water the garden. He just started helping to set the table. My 11yr old and 13yr old switch off each week with these weekly chores: mowing the grass (my daughter too), straighten the bathrooms (windex mirror, wipe out sink), sweep/swiffer the floors, vacuum the livingroom/diningroom. Do the dishes/ clear the table/stack the dirty dishes/put away clean dishes. They are both learning to help cook in the kitchen, when they want. I don't force the issue yet, but my 11yr old son sure loves to help me with baking stuff. They are both going to be learning how to seperate laundry and do the wash. Both have had to change their younger brothers' diapers, play with their brothers, hold the baby and etc.

Karen - posted on 05/20/2011

My 7 yr. old does dishes (I had to train him and inspect them as he does them.) If they are still dirty I make him keep them in the dishwater a little bit longer and wash them again. He's gotten really well at it. I only find about 3 forks each time. If something is really greasy, grimy, I set them aside and tell him those are mommy's to do. he's never broken any. I also showed him how to start the washer but he usually likes just helping with that. Then he can clean his room, or pick up toys around the house. They can do just about anything if trained. My kids get a quarter for every chore they do and it's enough for them to do them everynight. They have a bank account in my purse lol. Since they loose money I just keep tabs on what we owe them and when they have enough to buy a toy or something I just deduct it from that price. We never have cash, we always use our cards.

Audra - posted on 05/20/2011

All is fair game. Boys should know how to live as a single guy, because he SHOULD be one for SOME period of time before he gets married. The experience is invaluable. He should learn how to do it all...otherwise, he'll be a mediocre housekeeper as a single guy, and ill-equipped to suck up some of the slack around the house when his wife is feeling overwhelmed/working/in the hospital recovering from labor/etc.



You'll know when he doesn't quite have the skills needed to do something well, but as soon as those little fingers start picking things up off the floor...there is a lot they can learn. And, they feel important when you let them 'help.'

Danielle - posted on 04/19/2011

My son is 7. His chores are to take the garbage out, and to make sure the toys in his room are picked up. He loves to sweep and unload the dishwasher so if he asks I let him do those things too.

Anne-Marie - posted on 03/08/2011

my oldest has just turned 6 & he has been bundling up the recycling for awhile now. he loves to vacuum too

Kathy - posted on 03/14/2010

I am a mother of 4 boys. The oldest ones I use to make do their own laundry as well as clean their own rooms. My youngest two help me do dishes, take out the trash and sweep the floors. We have always gone in on Thursday and Sunday to clean the church. So I want my sons well rounded. So if they go off to college or just leave home they will be well prepared to take care of them selves.

Gwen - posted on 03/12/2010

My son takes oout the trash, clean his room, vacuum, and sometimes he might mop and sweep the bathroom.

Marquita - posted on 03/12/2010

Well typical chores for any child is to take care of their living space, regardless of age. Now that being said I don't believe that chores should be divided into what is traditional for a male or female. I see chores as training for your child's adult life. So as a mother think about the things you want you child to be able to do in their adult life without you over their shoulder.
I believe that taking care of a house should be shared by both men and women. If we cook, then we clean. I have a 14 and 11 year old, they take turns cooking, cleaning, doing dishes, windows, taking out trash, cleaning the bathroom, vacuuming and dusting, in addition to cleaning their rooms and laundry. Now my son does do yard work as well but that's because he's older, when my daughter is older she will join him. I think the idea that a woman is the only one that is supposed to clean the house is antiquated and needs to be buried with the idea that women shouldn't be give the opportunity to do things just because they are women.
So essentially I have him do the same chores I would expect a male to do in the house.

Michelle - posted on 03/12/2010

My son is 5 and he helps with the laundry and cleaning his room.

Steffanie - posted on 03/11/2010

I have my boys help with laundry, vacuum, help make dinner, make their beds, help take out and clean out kitty litter once a week. Also help with the care of our kitties ie feed and give water.... Clean their room... Ect. I also don't trust my kids with dishes...

Tina - posted on 03/11/2010

My 10 year old cleans his room weekly, helps with vacuuming on Saturdays and at least fortnightly will cook a meal for the whole family. He and his younger sister share dishwasher duties and the normal clearing the table every night.

Samantha - posted on 03/11/2010

Taking out the trash, cleaning their room, making their bed.

Starla - posted on 03/11/2010

My 8 yr old is responsible for folding laundry, cleaning his room, vacuuming the family (recreation) room, and helps me cook depending on what it is.

My 6 yr old is responsible for feeding the cats, cleaning his room, picking up the family and front rooms.

Both are responsible for emptying the dishwasher and picking up after themselves on a daily basis.

Cindy - posted on 03/10/2010

my 4 year old empties the bathroom trash, takes out recycling, and feeds the dogs. my 12 year old takes out the trash, puts away the dishes, sweeps the floor, and helps clean the bathrooms.

Katie - posted on 03/10/2010

Chores..lol. I am the only girl in the house as of now. My husband 25, my oldest 5, my youngest 2, and we have one on the way and I do any of the cleaning and picking up that gets done. Having a troubled pregnancy my husbands aunt comes to help me. I cant get the boys to do a thing. My husband is better now wih me being pregnant, but its a struggle. My boys refuse to pick up anything and they throw EVERYTHING on the floor from their clothes to toys to food to garbage. Whatever it may be they throw it on the floor. Its very stressful. If anyone has any ideas to get them to pick up after themselves, Im all ears!!!

Rosa - posted on 03/10/2010

I have 4 kids. 3 boys & 1 girl. My older boys are 10 & 13. They are responsible for taking out the garbage, feeding the dog, letting the dog out, clean up after meals, cleaning their room or any mess they make & helping with their little brother. Each one rotates each day on which chore each will do, so they're not doing the same one each day. It works out great!

Amy - posted on 03/10/2010

My 6-year-old helps at the grocery store, loading stuff up onto the conveyor belt. He helps bring bags into the house when we're home. He loves also to dust and wipe things clean. I think his main household chore passion is vacuuming! He will also put clothes up after they are folded. He earns whatever change I have in my coinpurse for whatever he helps with. Usually it's not a whole lot that day, but he's slowly learning responsibilities and respect for the family and home. I've also caught him with a mop a couple of times!

Jocelyn - posted on 03/09/2010

anything you would have a girl do. I have 4 sons. They wash dishes, do laundry, clean bathrooms etc....

Sherre - posted on 03/09/2010

I have a total of 6 kids 3 boys and 3 girls. The oldest child is now 27 and the youngest child is almost 7. When it came to the chores what my husband and I have done is they all do everything. We rotate from week to week so noone gets bored. They have done everything from dishes and laundry. When they all got to be the age of 14 they all learned how to do their own laundry but helped out with the rest of the stuff. I have found over the years if you are picky about the bathroom don't have a boy clean it they just don't do a very good job. But none of the kids ever complained about anything they just did it. We did start the kids with a chore at age 6 besides picking up their toys we started that as soon as they understood if you play with it you put it away. Good luck.

Leslie - posted on 03/08/2010

Sheri- my 12 yr old tends to the trash, feeds the dogs, empties the dishwasher and helps me with laundry. My 6 yr old checks the mail and helps tend to the trash. Both boys clean their own rooms and their bathrooms.

Sylvia - posted on 03/08/2010

Depends how old they are. My seven-year-old daughter takes out the garbage, helps empty the dishwasher, buses her own dishes after meals, puts away her clean laundry, helps sort dirty laundry and fold clean laundry, waters houseplants, occasionally tidies her room ...

No reason boys' chores should be different from girls' chores. Everybody needs to learn how housework works.

Lisa - posted on 03/08/2010

I started my kids out helping with picking up their toys at about 3-4 yrold. My son is 14 in May & with a rotation between him, my 19yr old daughter, my husband & myself everything possible is done. Sweeping/vaccuuming, clothes--from washing, folding to putting away, dusting, garbage, shoveling snow, raking leaves, taking care of animals. Even our 4yr old daughter is getting into helping. It helps your son to know what to do incase he lives out by himself. My husband was a well maintained bachelor when I met him, even knowing how to sew clothes. My husband & I were raised that it takes a family working together in all aspects to make a house a home & it is true. You will know what he can do & what he can't...so kids aren't able to vaccuum because it too tall, or washing the dishes isn't easy because the water gets too hot. Take your time let him help with one chore at a time and maybe change each week. Then once he has the basics, give him 2 or 3 a week to help with. The biggest thing too is that even though its "chores", don't make it feel like a chore. I got my oldest putting clothes away when she was 6 by having her pretend that she was putting away clothes for a princess or worked in a fashion store. The more fun you have the more the time flys.

Seena - posted on 03/07/2010

I have a seven year old. His daily chores is to take out trash, pick up his room, set the table for dinner and take out the recycle items. Usually, he will help out his dad with outdoor jobs if safe enough.

Robbin - posted on 03/07/2010

I agree with Jennifer. I have three boys, which means a house full of extra energy. My boys are pretty good about helping me to clean when I start cleaning on the weekends.

Sue - posted on 03/07/2010

Same chores you would give a girl. Dishes, washing clothes, sweeping, cleaning his room etc. I personally believe both genders need to do all chores and not separate them out.

Di - posted on 03/06/2010

My boy takes out the garbage, the recycling, feeds the chooks, does his share of dishwashing and dishwasher unpacking and sometimes helps with car washing and the lawn. I think it's very important for everyone to help out. My daughters have other jobs.

Amber - posted on 03/05/2010

I think if you encourage him to be a good helper and let him do anything ( being that it's safe and age appropriate) there are not gender specific chores. I almost cried when I found out my husband could cook, clean, do laundrey and the dishes.. I think we need to teach our children a little bit of everything so they learn to grow up and take care of themeselves, and eventually, a family.

Laura - posted on 03/04/2010

My son is 6. His chores are cleaning his bedroom, taking out the garbage, cleaning the living room, putting his laundry away, and helping clean up after dinner.

Erin - posted on 03/04/2010

we all clean on Saturdays, everybody doing something. my kids range from 5 mos to 12 yrs. and 3 are girls, 4 are boys. the 2 yr old picks up toys and brings stuff to the table. my 5 yr old does that makes the bed, puts away clothes and likes to vacuum. my 7yr old does that and likes to sweep and gather trash. my 9 yr old does that and takes out trash. my 11yr old does that plus feeds baby if needed while I cook. my 12 yr old does that plus helps with laundry and meal prep. we clean twice a week and the whole house gets done in about 90 mins, they get rewarded with a day of play and various activities if is all done before mom gets her chores done (dishes, laundry, dusting, mopping, bathrooms, etc.)

Sharon - posted on 03/03/2010

My daughter Phoebe who is 2 has already started helping with some of the household chores like her brother, and neither me no my husband have asked her to help out. She has taken to it naturally and we will encourage this behaviour in both of them as they grow up.

Leslie - posted on 03/03/2010

My sons are 14 and 5. The older one helps with dishes, feeding the dogs and checking on our chickens. He also helps with laundry by switching them from the washer to the dryer and cleaning his bathroom. My youngest helps pick toys up, helps his brother unload the dishwasher, and other odds and ends. They both look after their rooms to a varying degree. My daughter who's 10mos will have these same chores when she gets older.

Sharon - posted on 03/03/2010

My son is only 4 but already is willing to help with some of the household chores. I don't get him to do it every day or that regularly as he is still small, but it's a start for when he is older. At the moment it only consists of clearing the table after meals, collecting clothes to load up the washing machine or moving clothes from washer to dryer.
I personally don't see why there should be boys chores and girls chores as my brother is nearly 21 and still can't really take care of himself cos he never had to do anything at home, where as at nearly 25 I can look after myself and my family without too much hassle.

Anne - posted on 03/03/2010

I've got 4 of my 5 kids, including 3 boys doing daily chores. I think it's important for kids to have responsibilities (the youngest is a baby, doesn't count). My kids 7-13 are responsible for their rooms and the dishes on a daily basis, and on Saturdays we share the household cleanup, including scrubbing the toilet, cleaning the ickies out of the fridge, vaccuuming, folding clothes, and so on. I do most of the laundry, but if they feel they're missing something that needs to be washed, they do it themselves. Three of them are very good bakers, and decent cooks. As the kid count went up, I just didn't have time to do everything myself, and found that if each kid pitched in for a few minutes every day, it all got done without too much hassle, and they're learning valuable life lessons.

Rebecca - posted on 03/03/2010

why can't all genders do the same chores?? i promise your son won't die from any of them and it will have them well trained in house work for when they get married.

Jessica - posted on 03/02/2010

my 6 year old takes out the trash every night, feeds the dog, and cleans his room every night. I'm working up to getting him to so some more stuff too.

Maritza - posted on 03/02/2010

Hi Sheri.. well i have a ten year old boy and he helps me with laundry,clean the house you know like his room and the living room with vacuuming... dishes i dont let him help me beacause hes still to young for it.