How to Set Up a System of Chores for Your Children

My grandpa tells wonderful stories of his childhood and the many chores he would do. Milking cows and feeding animals before school in the morning are things we all associate with "the good old days". Although there are very few families with cows to milk early in the morning anymore, starting children on chores around the house helps develop hard working children.

If chores are started early, it will become a way of life for your children. But to actually get chores accomplished on a regular basis, a chore system will need to be in place. It may take a while to iron out the kinks in the chore system and get it up and running smoothly. It seems that every few weeks I sit down at my computer and make minor adjustments in the chore charts for my children.

Chores need to be started early. If you have older children that have never done chores, that doesn't mean they can't start now. However, the older the child is before being required to do chores, the harder it will be to get things running smoothly. A two year old can do simple chores, but will need constant supervision. I make my first "chore chart" for my children when they turn three.

For the preschool child's chore chart, I use a PrintMaster program. I use pictures to represent the chores the child needs to complete. I include personal hygiene, everyday chores and a special chore for the particular day of the week. Each child can color over or cross out the chore when it is complete. If the program you are using does not have pictures for what you want your child to do, just take a digital picture of the child and insert it on their chore chart.

Simple chores a three year old can complete include making their bed, putting their clothes away, cleaning off the stairway of all the toys that somehow collect there, dusting and folding washcloths. Some chores take some time to train for, but after a few weeks, the three year old can begin to complete these tasks on their own. Don't forget to include brushing teeth and hair on the chore chart each day in the personal hygiene category.