Chores for many kids.......

Question

I'm 13 and the oldest of 7 kids (sibling age 9, 6, 4, 2, and 3 month old twins). I'm sick of the chores I have to do and siblings not helping me! I asked my mom if she could help me, and we came up with the idea of giving my siblings chores except the twins. She wants me to try to come up with some ideas myself, and she will approve. Then we will come up with the ideas to enforce doing these chores. What do you think of these?

9 YEAR OLD:

pick up room

make bed

pick out outfit for next day

empty dishwasher

AFTER MEAL CHORE: sweep under the table

6 YEAR OLD:

pick up room

make bed

pick out outfit for next day

wipe off art room tables

AFTER MEAL CHORE: wipe down table

4 YEAR OLD:

pick up room (with help)

make bed (with help)

pick out outfit for next day (with help)

get mail and sort it (in the sorting bins by the door)

AFTER MEAL CHORE: push chairs in

3 YEAR OLD:

pick up room (with help)

make bed (with help)

pick out outfit for next day (with help)

feed fish

AFTER MEAL CHORE: shake out bibs and wipe off

DAILY GROUP CHORE:

pick up downstairs playroom

WEEKLY CHORE:

pull sheets off the bed and take them to the laundry room

Are those good? Too many chores? How do we enforce the rules to do these chores? Charts?

Answer 1

Wow, well first the 3 and 4 yr olds are too young for any of that, they are only babies themselves still (toddlers- same thing), I think the 6yr old is too young as well. The 9 yr old's seem's fine, but geesh your mother shouldn't be putting this responsibilty on your shoulders, she's the parent and therefor should be doing most of it, ok you and the 9yr should help out, but the younger ones being expected to do those things seems too harsh for their ages. Can you not speak to someone else who might be able to talk to you mum as this really is too much to put on you at 13yrs old.

Answer 2

the chores you suggested are quiet easy for the siblings but i thing you let the 6 years old do the fish feeding...the 3 and 4 years old are more playful yet so just advise them to fix their toys after playing...

Answer 3

Great Job! You look like you've put a lot of thought into this and I'm proud of you. What's important is that all the children are learning to help. They may not all do the best job at making a bed but it's their personal best and that needs to be good enough. Try not to re-do what they've done or downplay their efforts. They will all get better and if everything's not perfect, thats ok.

Other things kids can do: sort laundry into colors, darks, whites etc. put them in washer and dryer etc. (help w/ soap & running the machine), put toys in the correct bins, dishes in the sink, they could dry swiffer the hard floors (you just puch it around).

One thing I've seen is popsicle sticks w/ the chores written on them in a can and everybody draws chores that way you don't always get stuck with the same thing.

Each child can have a jar that you drop marbles in when they do their chores and use good behavior etc. They get to watch the jar fill and then they can "cash in" marbles for tv time, later bedtime, another book, $1 Store Shopping Spree, a friend over, etc.

Good luck!