My DS 25 and DD 21 had chores from the time they were toddlers. We had charts to help us all remember what to do. For the too young to read stage I made a vertical list of the chores with a picture on the left and the word on the right. There was a clothespin that they moved down the left side after they finished each chore. TV, video games, were always limited and tied to chores. In the beginning allowance was for spending money but later it was for everything. (we taught them the envelope system) We also stressed that the reason they participate in chores is because they are a member of the family and everyone has responsibilities. When they were teens I recall a comment that was heard in our house all the time..."You don't live in a hotel!!"  |