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monica
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| Posted: Oct 11 2007 at 6:30am | IP Logged
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i am so glad to have a preschool forum! i have many questions for you wiser, experienced mothers. but i will limit myself to just one. . . for now 
i was wondering about how many chores are reasonable for a pretty responsible 4,5 yo to do. right now he sets the table, helps clear the table and takes care of putting his clothes up. sometimes he enjoys "helping" me with sweeping and mopping. he is interested in earning money, so i would like to give him more work to do, but i want to be realistic about what to expect.
thanks
monica
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vmalott
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| Posted: Oct 11 2007 at 7:48am | IP Logged
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Cleaning the windows with a spray bottle is a big hit around here with ALL my kids.  Pretty much anything that involves a spray bottle and a cloth. Wiping down cupboards? Cleaning baseboards? Wiping lightswitches and doorknobs? Of course, swishing the toilet w/a toilet brush is easy, too.  How about making his own bed?
Valerie
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Philothea
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| Posted: Oct 11 2007 at 8:56am | IP Logged
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Ian's chores (age 3)
DAILY/FREQUENT
Put all dirty clothing in hamper each day.
Put any stray trash in trash cans.
Clean up own toys after use.
Take dirty plates to kitchen afer meals.
Help unload dishwasher.
Feed the cat.
WEEKLY/OCCASIONAL
Help sort clean laundry.
Wipe windows and windowsills with windex wipes.
Vacuum floors (using lightweight cordless vac).
Swiffer stairs (using just the cloth so it's safer for him -- he's close enough to the ground that it's easy).
By next year, I hope to have him gathering the small trash bags on trash day and putting them in the big trash can for Daddy to take out. I also hope to have him making his own bed and wiping down his potty and sink after use.
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~Rachel~
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| Posted: Oct 11 2007 at 12:45pm | IP Logged
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Let's see... Lenore is 3.5 too.
Daily:
She has to put her clothes away (still working on this one as she has yet to learn 'where' each thing goes )
Set the Table (this is shared with her brother)
Clean her room
Put her toys away
Make her bed (still working on this one)
Personal Hygeine (we just finished 'wiping', and she does her teeth with oversight)
Throwing rubbish IN the bin/trash (working on this one)
Occasional/Weekly:
Sweeping with her children's broom
Mopping with her children's mop
Helping me to dust/polish/clean
Folding washcloths/napkins
Matching socks
Help unload dishwasher.
As you can see we are a work in progress... DS-8 has just taken responsibility of the kids bathroom, so I am thinking DD will get some chores there too.
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Lisbet
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Mary is 5, she wipes down the chairs and benches after each meal. She cleans the bathroom and closet mirrors once a week, she wipes down the front of the fridge. And she has a once a week 'training' session on dish washing with her older sister.
Sammy is 4 and he puts silverware in their proper spots in the baskets, folds napkins and puts them in their basket, and waters the plants.
(This is along with the typical pick up her bedroom/put toys away stuff.)
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Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
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Mark, 5
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ozlouise
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| Posted: Oct 11 2007 at 8:40pm | IP Logged
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Mine like to dust and unpack the dishwasher.
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Stephanie_Q
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| Posted: Oct 12 2007 at 5:03pm | IP Logged
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~Rachel~ wrote:
Let's see... Lenore is 3.5 too.
Daily:
She has to put her clothes away (still working on this one as she has yet to learn 'where' each thing goes )
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Since we just changed out summer for fall clothes, I made labels for my 4 & 5yo girls dresser drawers. They pick out their clothes from the laundry basket, "fold" them, and put them away. I used index cards, wrote the word and drew a picture that they colored and taped onto the drawers where they wanted their shirts, pants, underwear, etc...
They also help unload the dishwasher, set, and clear the table because I have a low cupboard for the unbreakable kid dishes.
Of course, they are responsible for picking up their toys, they love to help wash the kitchen floor, and water houseplants.
I'm just not comfortable letting them clean the bathroom, though I know other moms have their kids do that at this age....
They are learning how to make their beds and help outside in the garden.
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~Rachel~
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| Posted: Oct 12 2007 at 9:26pm | IP Logged
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Stephanie_Q wrote:
I'm just not comfortable letting them clean the bathroom, though I know other moms have their kids do that at this age....
They are learning how to make their beds and help outside in the garden. |
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We waited until my DS was 7 before making him clean up HIS mess he made in the bathroom... necessary for sanity- MINE
Now he is 8 and we put him in charge of it because when it reflects on HIM, he does a better job.
Every so often DH goes in with a black light to show him what he missed... the kids LOVE that!
DD (3.5) helps in the garden too , and she makes her bed in the mornings, but DS is now old enough to actually put the bedding on his... DD can only do a pillowcase with a struggle
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SuzanneG
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| Posted: Oct 12 2007 at 10:29pm | IP Logged
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~Rachel~ wrote:
| Every so often DH goes in with a black light to show him what he missed... the kids LOVE that! |
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I had forgotten about that! My dad used to do that with us too!
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4Real Forums : Nurturing the Years of Wonder
Topic: chores for a 4.5 year old
