3yr olds and dishes!

Suzanne - posted on 11/02/2009

I think it's brilliant you all encouraging your kids to help out and praise them afterwards, we girls do like to do mummy thing like my wee boys the like to skiddle and help out with the washing to keep it up mums :) so nice to hear a positive outcome :)

Jennifer - posted on 11/02/2009

My 3yr old daughter loves to help me do the laundary folding and all, load & start the dishwasher, and I even let her feed the doggies. She love to help me do all kind of things around the house. I am enjoying the help because I know that one day she will no longer want to help. So I agree with the other moms and say just enjoy him wanting to help.

Mel - posted on 11/01/2009

i think 3 is a great age as kids seem to want to help with everything i let my son wash dishes with me and although it takes an hour longer than usual and there is more water on my floor than in the sink he has a great time :)

Erin - posted on 10/31/2009

In regards to a list... I don't see anything wrong with having a chart that has chores like "pick up clothes & put in hamper" "pick up toys before nap/bedtime" ie. the things that they can do on their own or with prompting. Then you can go to a chart that has your daily activities and see if you get all your stars or something? As they get older and are able to go more on their own their list will grow...

Dezere - posted on 10/31/2009

don't make the chore list until she's able to understand chores. if she likes to help, let her. it makes cleaning more fun in the long run if they do it when enjoyable. my daughter is only 2 and she loves helping with laundry and making supper. i praise her for it. and that makes her want to continue helping

Erin - posted on 10/31/2009

My 3 yr old likes to load the washer, put soap in, turn on the washer, push clothes in the dryer & start it. He also puts clothes in the hamper! He tries to fold but does a horrible job, and is a little on the short side for most of the clothes that need to be folded. He also started helping wash the dishes. He has been putting his toys away when prompted of course, and will put his dirty dishes in the sink after scraping off food in the garbage. Take advantage of them helping now! Make it a routine and then they'll be more used to it later!



In regards to helping being a self-esteem building exercise make sure that you are not going behind them and redoing everything they do because this will make them feel bad and will be completely counterproductive!

Wanda - posted on 10/31/2009

My feeling is if they want to help then let them. My son, who is 21 months, loves to help with laundry. I'll set him beside the washer and he'll throw stuff in, same with the dryer. He laughs the whole time. He also throws his dirty clothes in the hamper, will take things to the garbage/recycling and knows where his dirty diaper goes. I figure I might as well enjoy it while it lasts, as he gets older it won't be so easy to get him to help.

Holli - posted on 10/31/2009

I'd say to take advantage of the situation, it won't last for long. :)

Gabriela - posted on 10/30/2009

That´s perfect. Kids may help as soon as they start walking, with very small things (as putting their clothes in the laundry basket). Is very important to teach them cooperation to the erst of the family (boys and girls).



As they grow old, it will become more dificult to have them doing chores (because it stops being fun). So enjoy the moment!

Jennifer - posted on 10/30/2009

That's great! My son is 3 and loves to help as well. I always give him little jobs that he can do to help me. I think it's good for building their self esteem. It makes them feel important and grown up.

Tanya - posted on 10/30/2009

My 3 year old daughter follows me around the house and helps with everything! She loves to help clean, so I just give her her own dust rag, or whatever. She also loves to watch me wash dishes, and my brother gave me the idea of letting her wash the plastic ones. He says that if she gets the floor all wet, then I can just mop! lol! I let her help me with everything except the dishes, she just gets to watch when I am washing them.

Melissa - posted on 10/30/2009

My daughter will be 3 monday and she loves to help with dishes and fold laundry. I figure if she wants to help me that ok by me. If he wants to help and you don't mind I don't see a problem with it.