how much housework do your kids do?

[meowee]

This is a spinoff of a thread in homeschooling... how much housework does your in-school child do? I'm wondering if it is possible or fair for an in-school student to be expected to do a lot of housework?

I ask because I plan to put one DD in school. Right now she does some dishes and makes the beds.

What do your DC do?

[~Demeter~]

All 3 of my sons are expected to help out around the house. They each have a specific chore I ask them to do. DS#1 empties the dishwasher, DS#2 takes out the trash and DS#3 helps me with the laundry. DS#1 and #2 both take in the trash and recycling bins once a week after pick up. I sometimes ask them to do other things but don't try to overload them. They have the whole upstairs to themselves so every few months or so I ask them to clean out there rooms. I ask them to make their beds in the morning and sometimes (surprise, surprise) they actually do. I prefer not to have arguments over helping out and doing things around the house. I try not to overload them with chores because I don't think that's fair to them.. They also help my DH with the yard. They pick up their toys before he mows and help keep the yard clear. It doesn't seem like much to me but I still get the big sighs sometimes when I ask for help.

[Kinipela79]

I expect my boys to help out around the house. My DS1 who is in 3rd grade keeps his room tidy enough so I can vacuum, helps with his brother when needed and it's also his job to make sure the chickens have fresh water and feed. Most of the time he jumps in and helps me with things and I try to encourage that! I don't think it's too much to ask a child in school to help out around the house...as long as you are being reasonable about what you think they should be doing.

[mamalisa]

My ds is only 5 and hasn't started school yet but he has plenty of chores that won't be changing once school starts. As long as he has plenty of time for play and rest I have no issues with kids and chores. I personally believe that they are really important.

[kewb]

My kids help around the house. Maybe they would do more if we homeschooled but so far they are able to keep up with all their responsibilities.

[moondiapers]

10yo DD is in school. She cooks and does the dishes 2 nights a week. 6yo DS is homeschooled, he does the dishes 2 nights a week. They both make their own beds every morning, pick up their rooms before dinner and take turns taking out the trash. DD feeds the dogs everymorning, DS feeds the cat and bunny every morning.

edited to add: DD does her own laundry on the weekends that she's home. I do it for her on the weekends that she's visiting her dad.

[lauren]

Our two older children have 3 daily chores each and 3 weekly chores. They alternate them by week with each other. These are things like set the table, clean up from dinner, take out the compost, take the trash out, etc. Weeklies are clean the bathroonm, collect the household trash, help out at the dump (trash), etc. ONce they got used to it, (a couple years ago), they have accepted it and done well.

[HollyBearsMom]

My son is is 5 and he set the table each night, is expected to clear his own after eating. That is his one assigned chore but he does help around the house when convenient. He does things such as emptying waste baskets, getting the laundry out of hampers and into the washer, helping cook meals, dusting, vacuuming. I think it is important for kids to be involved in all aspects of family life.