Levittown Moms Council: Should Kids Help With Household Chores?

The Levittown Moms Council is a panel of local mothers you can chat with every Wednesday on Levittown Patch. Each week these four ladies tackle a new parenting question and ask you to join the conversation by leaving your own comments. 

This week's reader-submitted question is: Should kids help out with hosehold chores?

Jane Cappiello

Teaching my children to help with chores has been a big challenge for me. The challenge was not that my children did not want to help out; the challenge was in keeping their interest until the chore was completed. One can only imagine the amount of work it takes to keep a house running smoothly. Different schedules for different age children kept us mobile- most of the time. Consistency was and still is a luxury that a large family does not have. The specific chores that my children completed were things like setting the dinner table, clearing the table and loading the dishwasher. Making their beds was also expected- especially on the weekends. Putting toys away or back on shelves was a necessary safety precaution.

As my children grew older, they gradually chose the chores that they wanted to do. A list on the refrigerator was commonplace in our home. Each child would check off the completed chore. Many times, I would work with them to complete a job.

My adult children still live with me. Time is still the culprit in completing some tasks. We are all forgiving of one another if a job does not get done immediately. We try to help one another if our busy lives overwhelm our everyday doings.

Cathy Fressle

I always incorporate house chores into payday for the kids. When they were little and asked to help I always let them. It may not have been a great job, but they enjoyed it. Now that they are bigger I ask them to do chores and I will give them a few bucks. It helps me and it helps them. It also teaches them how to do the chores such as laundry and vacuuming for the future when they will be on their own. I think it's a good thing for them to help out.

Kathleen Vaughan Ware

I personally do not know any kid who has set chores. I’ve read a few stories, saw some on TV, but never in person. Therefore, gentle readers, I would like to introduce my imaginary chore kid…Dunright. 

Every morning when Dunright gets up, he makes his bed with hospital corners. After that he brushes his teeth, and even washes his hands! Dunright then dresses himself in the clothes he immaculately laid out the night before, taking the time to match his socks. After a quick breakfast of oatmeal with bananas, Dunright takes out the garbage and sweeps the kitchen floor. He notices the dog by the front door, and takes her for a brisk 30 minute walk. When he gets back, he puts the dishes away from the night before, taking care to put the utensils in their proper place. As late afternoon rolls around, Dunright lovingly asks his mom if she needs help peeling the potatoes, and she smiles and hands him a peeler. Together they create a delicious stew; Dunright’s dad will be so pleased! After studying for an hour or so, Dunright enjoys the tasty dinner he made with mom. He then loads the dishwasher and puts on his pajamas and debates as to which Disney movie he wants to watch. As he watches Toy Story, he folds his clothes and places then neatly in his bedroom drawers, making sure nothing sticks out. When the movie ends, Dunright brushes his teeth, washes his hands and kisses his parents goodnight.

Should kids help with household chores? Yes, but it would help if they were Dunright.