Chores and Money

I know this will seem like a shock to some, but my children already have chores that are expected of them.  Mind you, they are chores that are age appropriate.  

Firecracker's chores are: 1. Unloading the dishwasher and putting the dishes away (with the exception of the dishes he cannot reach). 2. Putting away all his clean clothes. (I wash them, dry them and fold them.  He has to put them away.  Do I worry that he will put them away all messy and bunched up?  Nope, because even when I put them in all nice and neat as soon as Firecracker wants to wear something specific he digs through his drawers til he finds what he has been looking for.  And guess what?  His drawers are all messy.  So who really cares if they start out messy? Not this Mommy.)
3. Cleaning his room.

Sweet pea's chores: 1. Straightening the shoes by the front door.  and Putting away the silverware once Firecracker has finished unloading the dishes from the dishwasher. (I put away all knives first). 2. Putting away all her clean clothes. 3. Cleaning her room.

After these chores are finished, if the munchkins are willing to do extra chores we pay them.  They are learning several lessons through this. 

1. Mommy and Daddy are not their slaves.  We are the responsible adults, and therefore we have the lion's share of the work.  However, they live in this house too, and it isn't a free ride.

2. Responsibility.  Sure, there are going to be times when they don't want to do their chores.  However, we have to do things every day that we don't want to do.

3. Life isn't fair.  Sure there maybe several of their friends that do not have chores yet.  Well, guess what?  I am not those kid's Mommy.  I don't get to decide what those kids do and do not do.  Life doesn't hand you wonderful things on a silver platter.  You have to work for them.  And in several instances you will have to work harder than others in order to get what you want.

This is the philosophy in our home.  As they get older their chores will change, but make no mistake, they will always have responsibilities around our home.

Have a great day!
Ms. T 




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