My son is 10 and does a few chores but we'll be adding to it soon. His current chores are: Take our the recycling when the bag is full, take out the bathroom garbage, bring up the garbage and recycleing cans after garbage has been picked up, scrub his hardwood floors every other week, and fold towels after they've been washed. He occasionally does the dishes for me but not often. He does a pretty good job for the most part but sometimes I really have to get on him to get him to get his chores done. Good luck!

my girls are 11 and 13...they've been doing chores for a long time...

vacuuming
folding laundry
sweeping
mopping
dishes
taking out the trash
feeding the dog

these are some of the things we all take turns doing. They also have the option to do yardwork or wash cars if they want to make extra money, but i don't REQUIRE them to do that.

i have 9 and 6 1/2 yr old girls, WE dont' really have a list and they always ask to mop or sweep but I find I just have to do it over again but they do let the dogs out, feed the cats, help fold their laundry, puit their clothes away, dishes (sometimes). Too small yet take out the trash but they will.

my 12 yo helps with dishes, takes out trash and recycling bin. of course he has to keep his room clean. We dont really have a set chore list for him and my other son. They know that chores need to be done so if they see that there is laundry to fold, they do it. if they see the trash getting full they take it out.

My son is 10 and for the past 5 years we have gradually added chores. bed making, putting his own dishes in the dishwasher, feeding the dog, Taking the trash cans to the road as well and daily trash.

He now cleans his bedroom and bathroom on Saturday including scrubbing the toilet.

He does his own laundry on Sunday but it's usually just play clothes, football uniforms and his bath towels. because I wash his school uniforms during the week. He also washing his sheets and blankets once a month, then remakes his bed.

On weekends he does dishes but not during the week when I would prefer he worry about his studies and he needs his down time too.


He helps around the house when needed and in the summer he helps with the property chores. lawn, weeding, repairs (handing tools and fetching usually)

He is a part our family and will do what is needed. He asks for nothing and gets what I can afford when I can afford it.

I think chores build a strong sense of duty and family. We are team and everyone on our team has responsibilities, none more important than the other. We need each other. He now does so many things without even being told or asked. He just sees it needs to be done and does it.

That is an excellent idea for chores...the jar.
Dust, take out trash,sweep, feed pets...

i only expect for my kids to clean THEIR room, take out THEIR trash, fix THEIR bed, wash THEIR dishes, clean THEIR bathroom & fold THEIR clothes..anything other than that, they will get a lil' something 4 it :)

I dont expect my kids to do general household things, I never had to do it when i was a child but I do make them tidy up their toys when they have been playing

We have a schedule that we are returning to ...

5 1/2 yr old
EVERYDAY
pickup livingroom & familyroom
vacuum family room
wipe down bathroom sink
make bed (but he sleeps in mine so making his is no problem lol)
pickup bedroom floor
get forks and napkins for dinner
feed the cat in morning

MON & WED
take out bathroom trash
pick up playroom
clean toilet with brush (no hands in the potty!)

SATURDAY
take laundry to garage
help fold and put away his laundry
dust livingroom and familyroom

11 (almost) yr old
EVERYDAY
pickup livingroom & familyroom
vacuum livingroom and hall
wipe down kitchen table
make bed
pickup bedroom floor
get drinks for dinner
feed the cat in the evening

TUES, THURS, SAT
sweep bathroom
take out kitchen trash
pick up playroom

SATURDAY
put laundry in washer/dryer
fold and put away his laundry
clean toilet (scrub with gloves/sponge)
vacuum bedroom

They both have to help with anything extra we ask them to do like take out the plastic or cans, tidy up the DVDs, rake leaves, clean out the car, etc. I usually give them the towels/wash cloths to fold & put away as a team & occassionally I will ask them to load the dish washer (younger gets cups and older gets plates, bowls, silverware). When we are having people over they are expected to clean "picture perfect" which means dressers are cleaned off, walls are wiped down, glass cabinettes are cleaned, and all vacuuming includes edging. The whole family works towards picture perfect cleaning!

My kids don't do chores without at least one reminder. They think I am mean about the bedroom because I expect it very neat (it's not most of the time) but I allow the playroom to get out of control and just expect to be able to walk in there without breaking my neck!
My little one loves cleaning the toilet and dusting and likes to run the vacuum and is very good at folding (better than my older son).

Wow, some of you are getting a lot of help from your kids! I have to admit, I am in the SUCK AT THIS camp. My girls are way old enough to help out, but they don't like to. I'm getting better about making them, but I'm also getting better at picking up after myself. They do feed and water pets daily, change litterboxes as needed, and pick up, sweep, mop, etc. as I ask (or nag) them to. The older 2 do their own laundry but the youngest does not.

I'm working toward more yard help for this summer. I think because I'm pregnant maybe I can get some help with the mowing.

One of the things I try to discourage is that idea that we only pick up our own messes. I mean, they should do that to, but when I say "clean the living room" I don't mean just the stuff you left behind. I'm also trying to get my hubby to help out more.

I hope nobody got the wrong impression... my boys don't just jump in an do their chores! I have to ask, remind, tell dad I need his support, and ask again!
I don't sit around while they do chores- I am a working mother and often bring home work so I am either helping them learn how do manage their chores, cooking dinner, or working on work.
Similar to things others have said I feel a family should work together to take care of a home- that is what makes us a family and not strangers in a boarding house!

Our boys are the end of a large family. My older children (now in their 20's) had to feed the dogs, cats, and whatever other animals we had; scoop cat boxes, pick up dog deposits, collect and take out trash, help with dishes, etc. We separated doing their own laundry and bedrooms as simply being personally responsible. We have not been as successful with the younger four kids and it is frustrating. We go in spirts, where they are cooperative and then when they are neglectful in their helpfulness.

It looks like you have a lot of good replies- I just wanted to add that a chore chart might be nice for them, so they can see progress and you can check off whats been completed, and if you want to give awards (pick a movie, allowance, etc.) you can. Just make sure you are clear on whats expected of them- usually like make their own beds, put their dishes away, hang up coat, etc., and whats considered an actual chore (dishes, trash, etc). There is a difference! They need to be personally responsible for some things on their own, and then the chores are separate.
Using this method, my dd does a lot on her own, always is ready to help, yet knows what she gets allowance for and what she doesn't. (Sometimes we add behavioral stuff to the chart, like there was a time where she would get out of bed 5 times a night. Every time she did, I docked her a quarter. She quickly stopped)
I got my chart at the local Let's Learn store, but you can also make your own, thats fun, too!

My oldest daughter helps out when not asked - I guess I am a lucky parent! I had back surgery in October so I went over with her what would be expected of her to help out around here before the surgery. She is 9 has school, choir practice and basketball and still has time to fit in cleaning up the livingroom, cleaning out the hamster cage, feeding the hamsters, loading the dishwasher, taking her laundry downstairs to be done (I do the laundry - last time I let her do it the chapstick was left in a pocket)..I was brought up to believe that you do have daily chores..Also during the summer I would be left a list every morning of what I needed to do that day so instead of watching TV all day I was doing outside work, mowing the grass, cleaning house..And to be honest that prepared me for life now with three kids at home and a hubby who works 24/7. I spend time with the kids and get the chores done because they help and we try to make it fun instead of daunting list of tasks. Hope this helps..Some people may think I am nuts having my kids do this much but it was just the way I was brought up. Thanks!

wow these are really great ideas, I think I am going to type up a list for all the kids and put it on the refridgerator if my kids are expecting an allowance they need to do something for it..these suggestions are great!