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Welcoming Center, Management and General Chat => Chit Chat => Topic started by: astarra on June 22, 2012, 02:14:55 am

Title: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: astarra on June 22, 2012, 02:14:55 am: OK so I know this is a very random question, but mine are expected to help around the house - and they enjoy doing it (long may it last) BUT... we had my big bro and his wife to stay and she told me I was a "very harsh woman" for getting my kids to do things for themselves around the house. ???
I know mine are young but from the time they go into a bed (from a cot) they make their own bed every morning (yes, the perfectionist in me goes and fixes miss 3s job afterward when she is not around) but miss 5s is perfectly done now. And I don't even remind them about it, they just do it. They also take their dishes out to the sink after every meal (even miss 17mths). The eldest 2 take turns at setting the table for dinner. They are just little things but they can do it. Does this make me a harsh woman ???
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: CreamPuff63 on June 22, 2012, 02:17:08 am: only if you need to use a whip ;D
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: stacelee on June 22, 2012, 02:30:54 am: Mine are supposed to help and they aren't too bad about it, but do need reminding. They are both fantastic kids who will do almost anything they are asked to do...but its the having to ask that drives me balmy. My husband is the same....he will willingly do housework if asked but it would never occur to him to do it if I don't ask. I do go into martyr mode frequently because it is usually easier to just get it done myself than to have to ask half a dozen times for it to be done.

I do expect them to keep their rooms clean and dusted and bring their washing to me to be done and put their washing away.....my daughter is very good (except she will wait until she has three baskets of washing to put away before she bothers !!!!)....my son was shocking but has improved with age, we reached a compromise, his room can be a disaster during the week but MUST be clean for the weekend. We have both learned to live with that, I don't like it, but I can live with it. He was putting in 10+ hour days at school last term so I had a little sympathy.
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: gertbysea on June 22, 2012, 02:43:38 am: Soap box JUDY

Tell you sister in law to mind her own business. Her kids will be spoiled brats and she will running around after the when she is old and tired.

All kids should take their dishes to the sink and make their own beds. Why ever not? The whole family should be working together to get chores done. Putting their clothes in the laundry basket or wherever and as they grow putting them away as well. It is all the small stuff that makes life easier for everybody. Setting the table , picking up stuff should just be normal routines. It should not be do as you are told but this is what we do in this house.

Who on earth thinks their kids are so precious that they cannot do normal chores?

Just one thing astarra, in the scheme of things, just how important is it that the bed has to be perfectly made? It may take only a few seconds to improve on Miss 3 's skills but don't think she doesn't notice. Soon she will be saying to herself why bother as my mummy will do it for me? LOL. ;D Watch out you may be making a rod for your own back.

Gert
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: knittercook on June 22, 2012, 02:56:12 am: I did EVERYTHING when mine were young and believe me I didn't do them or myself any favours! So I would tell yous SIL to mind her own bees wax and you continue to teach your family that everyone has to pitch in and help for the household to function smoothly. Oh and I agree with Gert, I wouldn't remake the bed either ;)
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: obbie on June 22, 2012, 02:59:35 am: My kids take the dishes to the sink, feed the chickens, collect the eggs, collect the bags of pine cones, (for the fire), clean there rooms, do the folding clothes, and put them away.

Put the dirty clothes in the laundry, try to help peel veges. Pick up the lego..

My daughter loves to help me cook.

they are 6 & 7.
They have to do chores as the cleaning fairy only comes every fortnight.
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: stacelee on June 22, 2012, 03:08:47 am: My daughter has to do the chickens (but they are her pets), my son has to do the birds in the outdoor aviaries. I somehow got stuck with the job of feeding the three dogs and the cat gets fed by whoever is walking past at the time she wants food (she is VERY loud and persistant). I also feed "The Grouch" budgie who lives in my kitchen....I'm the only one that she doesn't bite so I'm elected (I'm so glad we rescued her as a chick from dying on the floor of the aviary!!!). I also get stuck washing the dogs and grooming them but they get too stressed when my husband does it, so again I'm elected.
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: astarra on June 22, 2012, 03:13:35 am: Thanx ladies - she made me feel as tho I was the only one in the world who's children had to do things!! Glad to know I'm not!! ;D
I had never thought about the fact miss 3 might notice her bed is re-made, thanx for opening my eyes on this. :o
They also have to put their own dirty clothes either in the washing baskets in their rooms or into the basket in the laundry, miss 5 is a bit of a perfectionist herself so keeps her room spotless... it is quite nice really! :)
They love to cook too, tho they think of that as a treat!! ;D
Folding clothes... I don't even let my mum fold my washing, cuz she doesn't get the edges perfectly aligned.... :-)) :-[
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: judydawn on June 22, 2012, 03:15:09 am: You are doing the right thing astarra - they will grow up being so used to doing jobs you will never have to get on their backs like most Mums do with teenage kids and their bedrooms for example. For boys in particular, I believe it is a Mum's job to train them to be a good husband in the future. With our generation, men and housework were never mentioned in the same breath but things are different now with females working fulltime and I believe everyone has to bog in and pull his/her weight.
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: AliRo on June 22, 2012, 03:41:19 am: The things that you mentioned are just things I would consider as being a part of a family! It's just picking up after yourself. To me, I would consider things like mowing the lawn, washing dishes, vacuuming etc as actual chores. Making your bed or taking your dishes to the sink are just things that every single person in the house has to do as part of being alive!
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: jakodai on June 22, 2012, 04:05:19 am: DS (3 in October) helps out. Each night he picks up the toys that he's gotten out. When I get him changed he puts his dirty clothes in the washing basket, he helps me take the rubbish out and he puts his nappy in the bin. I've seen how the kids who don't have to help out turn out, and my son is much better off for helping. I don't want him to grow up thinking that everything will be done for him, that's not how the world works.
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: gertbysea on June 22, 2012, 04:10:28 am: Quote from: astarra on June 22, 2012, 03:13:35 am
o
Folding clothes... I don't even let my mum fold my washing, cuz she doesn't get the edges perfectly aligned.... :-)) :-[

Have you considered seeking help astarra? ;D
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: judydawn on June 22, 2012, 04:12:40 am: :D :D :D :D :D :D
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: Wonder on June 22, 2012, 04:14:04 am: Go with what feels right for you, there's nothing wrong with the kids having to do the type of work you are asking as others have said it's all part of helping to make the house run smoothly. My kids are hopeless at doing jobs, but i refuse to make their beds, clean their rooms or bring the washing up or down. There bedrooms are out of sight upstairs and if they are happy to hop into an unmade bed I'm not fussed either. Growing up my room was a mess and it never killed me so i do find it hard to push them to keep them cleaner. Saying all that DD is grounded this weekend because she has been neglecting her jobs for quite a few weeks, cleaning her room is right at the top of the list - I'm suspecting that alone will take all weekend. They do have daily jobs such as doing the dishes, setting the table, putting their own plates etc into the dishwasher and unpacking the dishwasher each day and taking the bins out. We have to remind them everyday but they do it when reminded. As long as the main part of the house is clean and tidy I'm not going to stress about the rest.
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: astarra on June 22, 2012, 04:22:55 am: Quote from: Gertbysea on June 22, 2012, 04:10:28 am

Have you considered seeking help astarra? ;D

LOL Gert! ;D

I know it seems crazy, washing is the main part where I can't let go of perfectionism! When I hang my washing it is all the tops on one line, long sleeve DH, long sleve mine, long sleeve dd1,2 then 3, then short sleeves the same way singlets etc, trousers and skirts on one line - in order, underwear one line in order - you get the idea... but the part most people find hilarious is that I even color - code my pegs - all tops on with blue pegs, bottoms with pink, hankies with purple etc. :-[ And the folding has to be perfect, as do the drawers and cupboards - no just shoving it in here!!!!
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: jakodai on June 22, 2012, 04:28:54 am: I'm similar with my washing - they have to be straight. I actually bought a short folder, and it makes them perfect - theyre also a perfect fit my my draw, too.

I don't color code the pegs... Everything has a place on the line/clothes hoist though.
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: Wonder on June 22, 2012, 04:29:36 am: Wow astarra, I just don't know where you get the time to do all that. I just don't seem to get time to get the basics done let alone all the extras that you manage - do you work outside the home??
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: dede on June 22, 2012, 04:49:38 am: Gee if you start making them clean the toilet, wash the windows, mow the lawn, vacuum the house etc then that is harsh. I thing getting to do little jobs like that is a great idea.
They get pretty lazy as they get bigger :(
My lot don't do a lot but I expect them to put their dirty clothes in the laundry, tidy their room, put clothes away, set the table, dirty dishes in dishwasher, fill the wood box up (although I seem to do that most of the time) occasionally DS 16 will me the lawns. Feed the animals. Clean up their own messes etc.
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: astarra on June 22, 2012, 04:51:13 am: It doesn't really take that much longer Wonder, and I find the fussy hanging makes for quicker easier folding as everything is sorted on the line so it is already sorted when it comes to folding it and putting in piles before putting away. I guess it is just how I got into the habit of doing it when there was just DH and self, and I had more spare time than I knew what to do with!! Now it is just easy. And anyone driving past sees a nice tidy clothesline!! (No, I am a SAHM - that keeps me busy enough!! ;) )
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: gertbysea on June 22, 2012, 04:57:03 am: Wonder I am with you.

Astarra. Do you know how hard that is to live with? Your kids will never have the joy of hanging out the wash now. OCD comes to mind.

My DD's partner is the same. Drives her nuts. I just say let it go as he then gets to do ALL the housework as she does not push the mop the way he does. Nor can she fold a tea towel the right way. Anyway that is what she does So now he has to do it all while she sits and reads.

Jakadol, What on earth is a short folder? Take a pic. I have got to see this. I actually hang all my shorts by the waist on skirt hangers. But they all have to face the same way. LOL!!!

I don't even own and pegs much less colored ones.

Gert
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: obbie on June 22, 2012, 05:05:08 am: Astarra, I would not survive.
My clothes are hung out on the deck, or the outside line, with any color peg, any way.

Usually by me, or DH, sometimes if I have no time, my Mum. :)
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: jakodai on June 22, 2012, 05:10:53 am: Oops, should be SHIRT folder...

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com.au/viewitem?itemId=261045927995&cmd=VIDESC&index=0&nav=SEARCH&nid=05206350696 (http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com.au/viewitem?itemId=261045927995&cmd=VIDESC&index=0&nav=SEARCH&nid=05206350696)
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: obbie on June 22, 2012, 05:12:42 am: Oh, a shirt folder, that makes sense.
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: stacelee on June 22, 2012, 05:22:21 am: I don't know that my husband actually knows that we have a washing line (actually two because my first was out of action for a few years so I bought a portable one). I think I could count on two hands the number of times he has either hung washing out or brought washing in. I am trying to train my children better but it is an uphill battle. I did teach my son how to handwash clothes before he went away and he is apparently washing his clothes...he has become fussy with personal hygiene now (thank goodness, I thought it would never happen).

The one thing I have learnt with both my kids and my husband is not to be as fussy as I would like with how a job is done and to very very discreetly fix their attempts if I REALLY cannot live with what they have done. At least they tried. I do throw temper tantrums at times like when I let the fridge grow penicillin because apparently I was the only one who knew how to clean it out (that was a wasted one...I'm still the only one who cleans it out...my husband will very occasionally). My son did go to school for a few weeks in un-ironed clothes when I got sick of finding freshly ironed clothes dumped on the floor of his room with dirty clothes...he stopped that pretty fast.
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: astarra on June 22, 2012, 06:16:30 am: What a day, first I'm a harsh woman, now being told I'm hard to live with and OCD... :-))

I agree stacelee,about the not being so fussy part. I have NEVER told my DH off about the way he has done anything to help, nor have I fixed it. I have fixed the girls jobs, but always thank them for doing things etc.
Miss 5 just came home from school and told me I was a good mum and she was happy that I was her mum! :-* ... I must be doing SOMETHING right. :)
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: jakodai on June 22, 2012, 07:05:30 am: Aww, thats so sweet!
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: gertbysea on June 22, 2012, 07:07:12 am: Oh astarra you are a super mum. You put me to shame with my slothful habits and bad parenting. I drank through my pregnancies , hardly ever vacuumed, never made a birthday cake and stopped ironing my kids school shirts once they could hold an iron.

I am a person people point the finger at. One year I worked 33 out of 52 weekends and never took my kids to sport. I refused to clean the scout hall because I thought the scouts should do it. I got a bucket load of hate mail for that one and my daughter had to quit girl guides because of the flack she took . I even offered them money to find someone for my place on the cleaning roster.

I promise I will take more care of my laundry. I now bake a cake for DH Birthdays. I am going to phone my kids tonight and ask them for forgiveness. I'll let you know what the say and I'll be honest.

You are doing everything right . If I send you some wooden, all the same color pegs,will you forgive me? :-*

And jakodal I never in my life would imagine such a thing. How much are they? Can you teach the kids to use it? Oh dear here I go again.

Gert in naughty corner
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: astarra on June 22, 2012, 07:23:40 am: Oh Gert, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel bad... in fact I typed a reply and deleted it 7 times before I posted because I didn't want to make you feel like I was having a go at you. :)
Yep, I'll forgive you when I get the pegs... ;) :D
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: sue_purrb on June 22, 2012, 07:37:56 am: :D :D
I used to colour match pegs as well, until a friend noticed and quietly remarked "You can get pills for that...."

Since then I only buy wooden pegs so I don't have the temptation!! I could do with spreading some of that attention to detail around the rest of the house, though. :-))
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: jakodai on June 22, 2012, 07:38:22 am: Gert, I'm quite literally laughing out loud now. I'm getting weird looks in the office, I have to say!

I agree, though - the scouts should clean the scout hall.
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: cookie1 on June 22, 2012, 08:11:14 am: Gert I love it. I use wooden pegs anyway so no worries there.
I like my house to 'look' neat and tidy but I am not above throwing things into cupboards. If the truth be known my cupboards could probably do with a clean out and so could my pantry.
I'd much rather spend my time cooking and on the forum. My darling Mum was very houseproud and I loved her for it, but that has made me the opposite.
My house is clean and just because there is a pile of books on the lounge....well who cares?

I will now admit: I can't bear to hang a tea towel upside down though.
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: astarra on June 22, 2012, 08:19:58 am: My DM was absolutely not houseproud - my room was the only tidy place in the whole house - it was my sanctury. So I guess it has made me appreciate tidyness and cleanness.
LOL at your 'confession' Cookie! :)
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: gertbysea on June 22, 2012, 08:26:35 am: I only have terry cloth tea towels which have no top or bottom and i necer hang them anywhere. I just use them and toss them into the washing machine. I don't even have a laundry basket.

We obviously all have our quirks which is great. We can all get a laugh out of it and each other.

I am also very lucky to have a wonderful wonderful worth her weight in gold Maria who comes and cleans every two weeks. I have all tile floors which are a b*****d and Maria loves them. She sweeps them. Then she vacuums them and finally mops them. Bliss. She cleans the ceiling fans, washes the floor to ceiling windows and seven outside sliding doors. She does the bathrooms, bedrooms and office all in 3 hours.

If only I could have afforded Maria when I was working. Well I probably could have but I used to be super women albeit a mean one making my kids work so hard.

Gert no longer in the naughty corner.
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: maddy on June 22, 2012, 08:42:25 am: I too think your SIL should butt out....your doing fine!
Our house operates a bit differently, the kids chores consist of unloading hay, helping with deliveries, feeding all the animals, collecting firewood, and master 10 drives the truck in paddocks when hubby is collecting hay. If they help for several hours, they get paid, particularly when fencing.
I don't mind that they don't do the dishes...I think we have instilled work ethics & responsibility :)
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: Amy :-) on June 22, 2012, 08:42:56 am: I had a great laugh reading this thread. Thanks girls! ;D

My brother and I helped around the house from a very early age because my mum was a single parent and she really needed it. She was also working full-time to put food on our plates and clothes on our backs. I have great rescpect for my mum :)
My brother and I cleaned our own rooms, took turns feeding the dogs, helped with chores such as cooking, washing dishes, watering the garden and vacuuming. Our favourite job used to be folding up the socks into little balls :-))
By the time I was 13 I was cooking all the meals in the house with just a bit of guidance, but my mum didn't teach me how to use the iron until I was about 14 because the iron we had was very old and easy to burn yourself on.

I am really glad my mum brought me up to help out so much because now I feel fully prepared and confident that when I finally move out I will be able to look after myself and my future household properly :D
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: deedub on June 22, 2012, 09:16:23 am: I've let my kids have it easy for too long! They're 7 & 9 now, & the only regular job they have is putting their washing away. Like wonder I don't care if their beds are made, they're upstairs I'm downstairs out of sight out of mind. When I remember I ask them to set the table, clear their plates etc. but I'm not very consistent. I do throw tantrums when they leave a big mess downstairs & they clean up pretty quick. Occasionally I get really mad & give them a day to tidy their rooms upstairs or else anything on the floor will go in the bin - they know I mean it, too!
You're doing a great job astarra, giving kids some responsibility is never a bad thing.
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: dede on June 22, 2012, 09:26:59 am: Lol deedub, I often tell my lot that if anything is on the floor that doesn't belong there I'm throwing it all away.

When DS 14 was little he was so so naughty day after day, I had enough and gave him his last warning , if he didn't improve his behavior I was taking everything out of his room.
He continued being naughty so I took every thing out of his room, he was left with a bed and his clothes and that was it.
Luckily we had a caravan at the time so everything was locked in there for over a week.
It worked too :D
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: mcmich on June 22, 2012, 09:32:01 am: Your so funny Gert.
I worked every weekend when my children were little. I didn't have to find baby sitters that way.
Got maximum pay, DH got to be a kid at the weekends with them - everyone happy.
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: gertbysea on June 22, 2012, 09:47:21 am: Quote from: mcmich on June 22, 2012, 09:32:01 am
Your so funny Gert.
I worked every weekend when my children were little. I didn't have to find baby sitters that way.
Got maximum pay, DH got to be a kid at the weekends with them - everyone happy.

Well Hello Sister. I knew we were sister Sisters.

Gert
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: mcmich on June 22, 2012, 09:48:40 am: ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: CreamPuff63 on June 22, 2012, 10:14:54 am: my motto has always been if a job is worth doing, its worth doing well. over the years I have had to bend and sway with this ideal as I put away the dishes that my blind husband has apparently washed (telling myself that I couldn't be bothered doing them myself at that time etc). I used to let him hang my clothes up until he just wrecked them consistenly by shoving pegs in the middle and somehow there would be a big peg bulge on my boob, stomach or back cos he just hung them any old how - until I told him not to touch my clothes. Kids wouldn't let him touch theirs either for the same reason. I just do jobs that I can't bear others to stuff up, and I have to keep my lips sealed and deal with it. With regards to clothes washing my kids have had to wash/iron their clothes since high school as I got sick of the way they dealt with them. My ironing board cover says "I would rather go naked than iron". I have a clean tidy house, but I don't go overboard as I never let the house get to the point where it looks like it needs a good hard clean (except for the windows). I think kids have to be given responsbility for their things, whether its pets, clothes, or personal belongings. SIL probably thought she could comfortably say to you that you were harsh, but at the same time no one is perfect either in themselves or the way that we deal with parenting or our marriages. Even as our kids grow we have to make adjustments to our ideas, and learn to compromise with each other to make for a more harmonious life.

I always joke with my kids when I hear kids screaming "thats nothing that a good whack wouldn't cure!". It always gets a good reaction from them ;D
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: snappy on June 22, 2012, 10:57:25 am: I've got two boys 2 and 5 and i prefer to think that they have to pick up after themselves rather than do chores. They are expected to put their dirty clothes in the laundry basket, dress themselves in the morning, make their bed, make their own breakfast (if its cereal), put their dishes in the dishwasher when they are finished eating etc ...

I'm forever telling them "there are no slaves in this house - you are responsible for yourself and your belongings "

I am a working mum so maybe its because i'm not at home a lot but i want to raise boys that are self sufficient - they should be able to cook, clean,wash, iron etc.

Oh, and those shirt folders are SENSATIONAL! I dont even iron but i love the shirt folders - thye just make it look so neat and organised. I even bought the kid sized one and Mr 5 loves folding his clothes on it
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: dede on June 22, 2012, 11:01:24 am: Shirt folders? Did I miss something?
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: Halex on June 22, 2012, 11:07:43 am: Now lets see ... crown Prince does, well hs mother is the queen. :)

Lays the dinner table every nights, clears the dinner table every night
Puts the washing his & whoevers in the laundry
Vacuums, loves vacuuming
Hangs washing out, folds washing
Unloads dishwasher
Puts recycling out
Bits & pieces when asked
H
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: maddy on June 22, 2012, 11:09:04 am: Quote from: dede on June 22, 2012, 11:01:24 am
Shirt folders? Did I miss something?

I'm clueless too dede ??? I'm the shirt folder.
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: judydawn on June 22, 2012, 11:12:21 am: Unless you are going on holiday, who folds shirts ??? Don't we hang shirts ???
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: knittercook on June 22, 2012, 11:16:25 am: oh wow this is one of those topics that can ruffle feathers, I am the most casual slob on the planet :P If people visit and my house is a mess and they don't like it, TOUGH! But if you like your house immaculate, great go for it and I will even admire you but I won't aspire to be like you :-\

Each to their own and for the record, I grew up in an immaculate house where the dust wasn't even allowed to settle :'(
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: judydawn on June 22, 2012, 11:21:05 am: Does CP bring in a morning cup of coffee to visitors Hally ;D
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: JulieO on June 22, 2012, 11:31:16 am: I think Snappy may be talking about this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjAWsY9padQ
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: Halex on June 22, 2012, 11:33:45 am: Not upstairs, but if you slept in the living room yes.

H
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: dede on June 22, 2012, 11:35:08 am: Never seen those before :o
Does a good job :D
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: gertbysea on June 22, 2012, 11:40:53 am: Quote from: judydawn on June 22, 2012, 11:12:21 am
Unless you are going on holiday, who folds shirts ??? Don't we hang shirts ???

My thoughts too.

Gert
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: Chelsea (Thermie Groupie) on June 22, 2012, 12:00:12 pm: It is interesting to read how other people manage their homes. Since going back to work I have hired a cleaning lady. She comes for 2 hours each week and does a super job. God bless cleaners!! I don't mind cleaning but find it rather depressing with young kids. I used to scrub my heart out and then get upset when the kids came charging in and messed it all up. It doesn't bother me so much when somebody else has done the scrubbing. :-)) ;D
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: CreamPuff63 on June 22, 2012, 02:34:32 pm: Quote from: judydawn on June 22, 2012, 11:21:05 am
Does CP bring in a morning cup of coffee to visitors Hally ;D
no judy, I hate brekky in bed so I don't expect others to enjoy it either ;D oh, thats Crown Prince...
regardless anyway, crumbs and spilt drinks make it difficult to enjoy what is supposed to be a relaxing time
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: fundj&e on June 22, 2012, 09:15:18 pm: sheldon in the big bang theory loves his shirt folder ;D
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: fundj&e on June 22, 2012, 09:17:57 pm: is this a trick question :-))
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: fundj&e on June 22, 2012, 09:59:00 pm: i have read all 4 pages and i think i am staying out of this conversation.
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: gertbysea on June 22, 2012, 10:19:20 pm: Very wise Fundj.
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: obbie on June 22, 2012, 11:18:20 pm: Uni, shirt folders do make it easy, but hard cardboard also does the trick.

No I don't have one, but have used them before. :)

My kid are about to do folding clothes....
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: stacelee on June 23, 2012, 12:39:04 am: My house has its good and bad days depending on what life is like at the time. I would love less clutter (do I have to have multiple instruments in EVERY room) and would love a more designer look but it's homely and normally relatively clean. I have two teenagers, three dogs, a cat, birds and a husband... I don't have a hope in hell of home beautiful. When I need my home beautiful break, I go to my mothers whose house is always immaculate or my sister who has some magical power (unnatural I assure myself) over her two teenagers and always has a tidy house (she yells a lot more than I do).
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: foodiepep on June 23, 2012, 12:50:50 am: My kids do chores. As they've gotten older they've been given more responsibilities. Although, my 9 year old doesn't do much..I think it's because he's the youngest and is babied. Mine are responsible for their own room and the older 2 (14 &15) are responsible for the washing.
Dinner is a combined effort and everyone has something to do whether it's top and tailing the beans to cooking the rice, white sauce etc in the TMX.
Youngest son does get to wipe down the kitchen cupboard and vanity and occasionally help with the kitchen. He's good at setting the table and taking out the recycling.
Eldest 2 also have their own bathroom(downstairs) so they are responsible for keeping that clean too.

DH or I do the floors and bathroom upstairs. Boys vacuum downstairs.

They get pocket money and extra money if they mow the lawn.
I feel that part of being a parent is to teach them how to take care of themselves and their belongings.
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: obbie on June 23, 2012, 05:14:55 am: Imagine if your kids never did chores, or helped at all.

When they moved out, it would be a shock for them. Teach them to cook, clean, sew, do minor repairs, ect...
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: keiramax on June 23, 2012, 06:44:20 am: Obbie, I agree, as parents it's our responsibility to raise well rounded kids who know how to look after themselves. Whether you call them chores, jobs, or just part of family life; whether they are paid, unpaid, expected or unexpected, they are all basic life skills.
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: Amy :-) on June 23, 2012, 06:53:41 am: I think kids are very lucky these days, especially if their chores are all they have to worry about! My grandfather had to leave school and start working when he was only 10 years old to help support his family. He worked hard at his job every day, was abused by his step-father when he was home, and he and his many brothers and sisters lived on bread and dripping because that was all they could afford. My grandfather had 16 brothers and sisters.

If all you do to your kids is make them wash their own dishes and clothes, then I think they have it pretty easy.
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: astarra on June 25, 2012, 12:34:15 am: Quote from: Amy :-) on June 23, 2012, 06:53:41 am
I think kids are very lucky these days, especially if their chores are all they have to worry about! My grandfather had to leave school and start working when he was only 10 years old to help support his family. He worked hard at his job every day, was abused by his step-father when he was home, and he and his many brothers and sisters lived on bread and dripping because that was all they could afford. My grandfather had 16 brothers and sisters.

If all you do to your kids is make them wash their own dishes and clothes, then I think they have it pretty easy.

Wow Amy, your poor Grandfather. :(
16 brothers and sisters! :o That would take some support.
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: Amy :-) on June 25, 2012, 12:43:29 am: Quote from: astarra on June 25, 2012, 12:34:15 am
Quote from: Amy :-) on June 23, 2012, 06:53:41 am
I think kids are very lucky these days, especially if their chores are all they have to worry about! My grandfather had to leave school and start working when he was only 10 years old to help support his family. He worked hard at his job every day, was abused by his step-father when he was home, and he and his many brothers and sisters lived on bread and dripping because that was all they could afford. My grandfather had 16 brothers and sisters.

If all you do to your kids is make them wash their own dishes and clothes, then I think they have it pretty easy.

Wow Amy, your poor Grandfather. :(
16 brothers and sisters! :o That would take some support.

It makes me sad to think how horribly he was treated. My mum and grandma have told me stories of some of the things the step-father used to do... >:( He was an evil man!
Since my grandpa was the third oldest he had to work to support the constant flow of babies that came after him. Its actually surprising how many of them survived to adulthood when you consider how poor they were :o

I can only ever remember the names of 14-15 of them though! I always forget one or two :-))
Title: Re: Do your children have to help around the house?
Post by: Bedlam on June 25, 2012, 03:17:19 am: Quote from: CreamPuff63 on June 22, 2012, 10:14:54 am
my motto has always been if a job is worth doing, its worth doing well. over the years I have had to bend and sway with this ideal as I put away the dishes that my blind husband has apparently washed (telling myself that I couldn't be bothered doing them myself at that time etc). I used to let him hang my clothes up until he just wrecked them consistenly by shoving pegs in the middle and somehow there would be a big peg bulge on my boob, stomach or back cos he just hung them any old how - until I told him not to touch my clothes. Kids wouldn't let him touch theirs either for the same reason. I just do jobs that I can't bear others to stuff up, and I have to keep my lips sealed and deal with it. With regards to clothes washing my kids have had to wash/iron their clothes since high school as I got sick of the way they dealt with them. My ironing board cover says "I would rather go naked than iron". I have a clean tidy house, but I don't go overboard as I never let the house get to the point where it looks like it needs a good hard clean (except for the windows). I think kids have to be given responsbility for their things, whether its pets, clothes, or personal belongings. SIL probably thought she could comfortably say to you that you were harsh, but at the same time no one is perfect either in themselves or the way that we deal with parenting or our marriages. Even as our kids grow we have to make adjustments to our ideas, and learn to compromise with each other to make for a more harmonious life.

Cp i feel like you have been peeking into my life! , well before our foster family came to stay. ( its just chaos )I think with a carefree husband come other benefits. Much rather that than a army sargent.
My girls now have made a roster to help the house run more smoothly however i am thinking Chelsea is on the mark with a cleaning lady and i think will investigate today!
Ps i feel like an intruder on this site these day and am so looking firward to catching up with everyone in august.