Chore Chart ..... - Virginia Beach,VA

At this age it's not a good idea to have a chore chart yet they are still a little young. What should be happening it when say they are done playing you should be doing instructed clean up. When they are done you go in and say "Put the stuffed animals away", than when they are done you say "Put the cars away" do this until the room is clean. When the older one is about 5yrs old they are old enough for a chore chart. But it should be limited. Maybe put toys away before bed, pick up dirty clothes in room. Small things like that. I have my daughter take the clean clothes out of the washer to put them in the drier for me when i do laundry. She cleans up her toys each evening, picks up dirty laundry that might have made it to the floor while changing clothes. At 6yrs old she is required to "Fix" her bed before school. The best she can there are no strict requirements as far as this just attempt it.
If you require to much too young they will stop helping and it will end up being a fight and it won't undo it's self. Just make sure they CAN do what want them to do.
Good luck

Check out http://successfulfamilychores.com/Chore_Charts/ they have free printable charts with lots of ideas. Putting stickers on their own charts is great motivation. Good luck.

I think chore charts are a great idea - I made big ones on the roll out paper and they can even decorate it....also, ask them what they think they can help you with and get their ideas as well to get input from them - that way they will be more excited/motivated to do it. Family members all have responsibilities, so a sticker on the chart should be incentive enough....I would also draw stars or whatever on the chart. Or, sometimes if they did all their chores for the week, then I may give them a special treat like a trip to DQ or something. It was usually a surprise, not something they expected. That way they started getting more motivated at doing things on their own, not the bare minimum to get the reward.
Chores I had them do were pick up after themselves in common areas, clean their rooms, dust with a swiffer (easy for little ones), wipe up messes in bathroom with greenworks wipes, etc...easy stuff little ones can do. They also always bring their dirty dishes to the sink, help put clothes away, etc. As they get older, they can do more...especially when hubby is away - my DH would travel and it kept me more sane when the kids helped out...plus it keeps them from getting bored...mine have grown into very responsible young people. Now that they are 8 and 11, they bring down their dirty laundry, put their clothes away, clean their rooms, take out the trash and recycling, dust, vacuum (with a handheld...), and other things as I need them. They wipe up the counters after they eat, and also clean the bathroom (they have it down to a science). It also helps to break things up...instead of saying - 'clean the bathroom, ' say - 'you clean the counter, door knobs, and mirror, and you clean the floor, bath, and toilet,' to break it up and make it more manageable, or else they will be overwhelmed and not get to all the spots. For little ones, if you monitor them, say - you clean this half of the counter while I clean this half and we can meet in the middle....that way they know how you do it, they are spending time with you, and you do half the work! :)

It sounds like my sons are almost exactly the same age as yours. I have been working on getting them into doing chores lately too - so this has been on my mind. My 2 yr old is very good at sorting the toys as he puts them away, so I got different little bins for each thing. I can say to him "Pick up all the cars and put them in this bin" and he can do it. He also helps me unload the dishwasher (just hands me each thing and I put it on the shelf). My 3 yr old can bring the recycling out to the garage for me, pick up toys, and even follow the command "clean your room" (but only if it's not TOO messy). Both boys love to help me switch the laundry from the washer to the dryer and to help me sort by color as I'm getting the loads ready.

..I can't wait to read the rest of the responses to get more ideas. Good luck!

my 3 yo (close to yours in age) daughter picks out her clothes, gets dressed by herself and puts her jammies on her bed. she throws away her own night diaper although i'd rather her not but i don't want to stifle her motivation. this has made getting out of the house much faster. she helps set and clear the table. hangs her coat, you know, the usual personal chores. she doesn't do a lot of whole house chores yet. i'd rethink the incentives part though. family member, in my opinion, should do chores because they are part of the family team and not to receive a goody. good luck!

This may not answer your question but may help give an idea what kinds of things. I use www.chartjungle.com both in my classroom and for my children at home. It helps when there is a visual they can connect with. This website has so many things to offer, like help with bills, schedules for spring cleaning your house or vehicle, etc. If you can think of it, it is probably on this website. My children are 13, 11, & 9 so I feel your pain. Good Luck and don't back down from what you feel is right in your gut.

my son is only 1.5 years old, and already he clears his bowl after his meals, puts it in the dishwasher, and puts his laundry in his laundry basket instead of the floor when I change him.
I'm due with my second baby soon and I saw a lifetime of cleaning up after kids ahead of me. I decided I didn't want that lifestyle, so I started sncourage my son to "help" Mama by putting his toys in the toy box, replacing the tupperware that he pulls from the kitchen cabinets, etc.
he really does very well with these 'tasks'. Sure, it's not a chore list, and I have to tell him to do everything. But it is instilling the habit in him from the beginning. And it means that I'm not the one bending over picking everything up off the floor. My advice is just to make it a part of playtime - first we play, then we clean up. Every time. he feels very proud of himself when he puts things away, and it's the greatest thing to watch. :)
I suspect that as my son gets older, we'll just build on these kind of skills. helping with laundry and putting clothes in his drawers, putting dishes in dishwasher, maybe using a dustpan and brush, etc.
Our incentive system right now is just a high-five and clapping for him when he helps clean. Kids this young don't need much else but praise and parents who are proud of them! :)

look at the web sight onestepahead.com

i got our chor chart from there and they have instructions on how to implement them.

you go girl give them good values.

Hi A.. All 3 of my kids (5, 3, and just turned 2) have chores in the house. They all set and clear the table for meals...even the youngest one! My 5 year old is in charge of wiping it down, but is teaching the 3 year old how to do it. They all put their clothes in ther drawers, and clean their rooms and the toy room. They like to help with other things too, cleaining the toilet, laundry, etc...just make it fun and they will enjoy it!! Good luck!

Hi,

I dont know if I can be any help but I have a four year old daughter and a well almost 5 yr old son and they both have chores. When they were about two they just kindof just cleaned up toys and help do little things like pick up trash and throw it away for me, just little things. Right now I am still trying to better job on organizing their chore list but we also have a 1 yr old and trying to keep up with him is tired-some...lol. Right now they clean their rooms and they know how(it takes a while but you have to start somewhere right.lol....) They hang up clothes(theirs), they make their bed(of course i showed them many times and its not perfect but you get idea) and Dominic my son picks up recycle bin when its empty and brings it to the house. All they really do is keep their rooms clean and if we need things like for example ummm my husband was putting up a wall for jakes (our 1 yr old) and we asked them to pick up the little things that were on the floor and they did, I made a game out of it. Whoever had the biggest bag and worked the fastest got a prize.They both did win a prize. We just feel that they are part of the household too and even as little as they are they can help too!When they go outside and get their toys out they put those back in garage.I think parents dont give kids alot of credit, I think kids are way more capable of things than parents think they are so Im doing the best that I know how. My motherly motto is "As long as you are trying", I tell my kids try, try, try until you get it..and if you still cant get it then try harder....I hope I helped a little! sounds like to me your off to a great start!My husband also works nights so I totally understand everything,lol.Good Luck with everything!Let me know if you ever wanna swap idea on chores for kids.
B.