[Missy]

I want to implement a work-for-pay chore system in my home and I'm working on a list of tasks that are important for my kids to learn basing it on what they're capable of doing. It's going to get interesting around the house because I've been guilty of paying the kids an allowance for doing what they really shouldn't be getting paid for.

I do have a things in mind for them to do, but I'd love to get some other ideas for my 5 and 10 year old. Can any of you share some of the tasks that your children are doing around the house?

Thanks in advance!

[Missy]

SabrinaO, on 31 October 2010 - 08:14 PM, said:

Hi Missy!

A few years back, I put together a checklist to answer this question:
http://www.workingmo...-guidelines.htm

Hope this helps!
Sabrina

Oh very cool, Sabrina. Thanks for the link.

[Eva Rosenberg]

Hi Missy,

That's going to be an interesting challenge.
But perhaps not as much as you think.
Children do want to help, and to be included in family responsibilities and decisions.

Sabrina's list is interesting.
But, from my experience as a child - and the skills I see children developing today,
Sabrina's list doesn't tap into chilcrens' real potential after age 9.

Look at your own children and their skill levels.
If they can read and write and use the Internet, they might even be able to help you in your business by the time they are 8 or 9 years old.
They can do filing, take messages, update Internet pages - perhaps even propose or write content.
By age 8 or 9, they can help with cooking, and food preparation - at the minimum, setting the table, making salads and deserts.

By the way, be prepared for battles - with the children and each other, as they try to pass off chores to their siblings.
You can either get stressed over it, or sit back, amused, and see if they can work it out.

Good luck!

I remember our house with my brothers.

Hugs
Eva

[Jen Goode]

Something I've recently realized with my own kids is, just a chart isn't always enough. We've make a chart for each child that includes the "title" of the job along with a description of what that job entails. That by itself has helped prevent arguments on what jobs include and how often.

I've never paid for family chores, but am looking into learning more about pay-for-jobs for my kids.

As for jobs per age, it's really more about what skill sets do they have - each child being a little different. My 3 year old helps put away dishes in the dishwasher and set the dinner table much better than my 7 year old.