Chores for a 5yo and 7yo...

[Sue G in PA]

If you have a 5yo (boy in particular), what are his/her chores? For my 5yo, he: uses the Quick Vac in kitchen (he loves this chores), helps w/ his laundry, puts his clothes away, keeps his room tidy (hah!), makes his bed. Any other chores a 5yo could do? Set table? He doesn't like to do his chores except the quick vac chore (he has this obcession w/ vacuums) but he must learn some responsibility. Would you have this child do more? THanks...just trying to nail things down for the school year.

Okay, my 7yo makes bed, keeps room tidy, wipes down our kitchen bench, uses quick vac in hallway, empties trash containers on trash day. He's worse than the 5yo about doing chores, so I don't want to overwhelm him. What else would you have a 7yo do?

Okay...TIA for your suggestions!

[Jami]

All three of my kids (7, 6, and 4) unload the dishwasher, clear and set the table, fold clothes (mostly towels and wash cloths), and help out with general picking up around the house when asked. Along with keeping up their own rooms, that is. Sometimes I give them paper towels and they wipe down the bathrooms. They rake leaves outdoors with their dad when it's needed. :001_smile:

[kristavws]

My boys are 5 and 7. They are expected to do the following:

Both
-Make bed
-Pick up room
-Bring sheets to the laundry room on Monday
-Bring all dirty clothes from the laundry baskets in their room to the laundry room on Friday
-Sort and put away PJs, socks, and underwear
-Help clear table after dinner
-Clean up art table and pick up all legos on the floor before bed
-Assist in the garden as needed

The 5-year old also puts the silverware away (not sharp knives), and the 7-year old is responsible for feeding the dogs and cats. If the one dog continues to poop at the bottom of the deck stairs :glare:, they will be taking turns scooping this up as well.

Krista

[Chelle in MO]

5 yo:

empty silverware from dishwasher
put away own clothes
take community laundry from master closet to laundry area downstairs
empty bathroom trash cans
straighten room
change bathroom hand towels
make bed
take empty hangers from closet to laundry area
refill toilet paper supply under bathroom sinks

7 yo:

sweep kitchen
put away clothes
take own hangers (and mom's and dad's) to laundry area
straighten room
take trash to curb
shake kitchen rugs
sharpen pencils

Of course, everyone helps with other things as needed--table setting, outdoor work, basement cleaning.

Chelle

[Sarah CB]

My boys are 6 and 8.

Here are the 6 year old's chores:

make bed, tidy room, shine bathroom (twice a week using cleaning wipes), stock toilet paper, put clean and matching towels in the bathroom, put his own dishes away, put his own and his younger brother's laundry away, put the clean cutlery away...I think that's it.

My 8 year old:

Clean toilets (once a week), clean sinks and counters using Vim and a cloth, windex sliding door, make bed, tidy room, fold laundry, help tidy kitchen after certain meals, empty dishwasher, bring clean laundry in baskets upstairs, scoop poo, feed dog.

We have a chore system where the chores are split between morning, lunch and after school time. It means that everyone works hard for about 10 minutes during each chore time and between all of us (we have a 12 yo dd who helps as well) the house stays clean.

[kokotg]

I have 5 and 7 year old boys. They (either together or taking turns):

clean the playroom most evenings
feed the dogs
let the chickens out and collect eggs
get the mail
vacuum the upstairs once a week
clean their bathroom once a week
clean their room once a week
help unload the dishwasher
dust and clean windows

[gratefulmother]

I have a 5 yr old ds and 7 yr old dd. Every day they make their beds and keep their rooms reasonably straight.

My 7dd does:

M: their white clothes
T: empty dishwasher
W: straighten living room and den
T: empty dishwasher
F: dust one room of the house

My 5ds does:

M: empty dishwasher
T: their dark clothes
W: empty dishwasher
T: bring trash cans from around the house to kitchen for me to empty
F: empty dishwasher

They fold their own clothes and put them away after they are washed.

Great thread!!

[4boys]

My oldest boys are 6 and 4. Their chores consist of:

~ making their beds
~ cleaning out the dishwasher
~ tidying up the living room
~ keeping their toy room clean
~ putting away their clean laundry
~ occasionally folding laundry for me
~ sometimes my 6 year old feeds the baby
~ setting and cleaning off the table at every meal
~ keeping the shoes straight in the entrance
~ taking out garbage

Ummm....I'm sure there's more they help me with, but they do those on a regular basis.

[linders]

DS8 is not fond of chores. However, he is required to tidy room, pick up toys in living room/dining room/family room, feed and water dog (2x/day), wipe down his and brother's bathroom in-between major cleanings (that means about every 2 days), clean windows and mirrors (loves this job), sort clothes for wash, fold/put away own clothes and towels from wash, and help with yardwork (pick up yard, haul clippings, pull weeds). Other miscellaneous stuff as needed.

DS5 likes chores. He has to tidy room, pick up toys elsewhere, set table, fold/put away own clothes, and empty dishwasher. He can't actually put some of the bowls and plates away (too high) but I discovered it is still a big help to have everything stacked on the counter where I just have to lift it up.

[Marie in Oh]

They both

Feed animals (bunnies and cats)
Unload dishwasher
Set/ Clear table
Wipe Bathroom Counters
Make bed/ pick up room
Put away clean laundry

7 yo also

Scoop cat litter
Sweep Floors
Vacuum
Fold laundry