Getting older children to help

Some chores older children can do:

• Feed and walk the pet.
• Tidy their room.
• Make their bed.
• Vaccuum and/or sweep the floor.
• Put the groceries away.
• Help prepare dinner.
• Set the table.
• Water the garden.
• Clean the car.
• Empty the rubbish bins.

When children get older it may be more difficult to get them to help. You may want to think about using an incentive.

If you are thinking of paying for chores, talk about the job and what it's worth. Agree the amount and the standard you expect: for example, cleaning the car may mean inside as well as out, polished as well as washed.

Discussing this up-front prevents arguments later. When the job is done well, pay up straight away.

Of course, payment doesn't have to be money – it could be something like going to the movies.