Ideas that I’ve seen work (grandma of 10 here): 3 and 4 year olds give everyone a napkin when setting the table, 4 to 5, placing the forks, 5 to 6, the plates. From six on up, everyone gradually learns loading and unloading the dishwasher, pouring and serving drinks, making simple lunches, by 8 they can empty the trash, vacuum, and from then on it can be a range of tasks all the way up to 11 to 13 year olds making dinner one night a week, swapping washing the pots and pans every other night. A key is for the parents to assure the natural take charge ones among their children that they are not expected to take on all the adult tasks and responsibilities every single day, just because they like to see it done a certain way or see it as “their” role (choleric children, anyone?) , but that mom or dad can do it even while they have other work to do. 😉
I like these ideas! It's really just a gradual release as they get older and more able to handle bigger sized tasks around the house. My kids see me doing "chores" all throughout the day so daily chores have been a great way for them to contribute to our home and keeping it more tidy.
It starts very easy! The key is to make it age-appropriate and train them well with one small job at a time. When my kids were 3 they did chores like "help" to make their bed, clean up any toys on their floor, put folded laundry in their drawers, take the cloth napkins to the hamper after dinner, take any recyclables out to the bin, and then just basic ones like get dressed, comb hair, brush teeth (not really chores at all but just practice opportunities to do a task well). My kids didn't really start to become super helpful until around age 6 when they were trained with how to take on bigger jobs.
Great article! I really miss (and need) my morning quiet time before everyone is up, but my 3 year old wakes up just when I’m about to sit down and read the Bible. Then breakfast starts because kids are so hungry in the morning! Happens more than half the week. Any advice?
Busy Toddler on Instagram suggested leaving dry cereal in their room to tide them over and when mine get up before their clock I get them a covered cup of milk and a covered snack dish of dry cereal and send them back in to read or play quietly until the clock changes. It works really well for me!
Yes I've done the cup of milk before too! Whatever can tide them over for those last few minutes of staying in their room works great...books, quiet toys, a little snack. Glad it works well for you!
That is so hard! My 2 year old was waking before 6am for almost a year and it was definitely frustrating at first, but then I learned to have quiet time with him (read books, go outside if it was warm enough) and it did shift my mindset a bit. My kids do use an “ok to wake clock” and can understand how to stay in their rooms until a set time if they wake early. It’s been a lifesaver!
Look forward to your post on chores ❤️ great list
Ditto!
Ideas that I’ve seen work (grandma of 10 here): 3 and 4 year olds give everyone a napkin when setting the table, 4 to 5, placing the forks, 5 to 6, the plates. From six on up, everyone gradually learns loading and unloading the dishwasher, pouring and serving drinks, making simple lunches, by 8 they can empty the trash, vacuum, and from then on it can be a range of tasks all the way up to 11 to 13 year olds making dinner one night a week, swapping washing the pots and pans every other night. A key is for the parents to assure the natural take charge ones among their children that they are not expected to take on all the adult tasks and responsibilities every single day, just because they like to see it done a certain way or see it as “their” role (choleric children, anyone?) , but that mom or dad can do it even while they have other work to do. 😉
I like these ideas! It's really just a gradual release as they get older and more able to handle bigger sized tasks around the house. My kids see me doing "chores" all throughout the day so daily chores have been a great way for them to contribute to our home and keeping it more tidy.
Yes - please tell me about what chores the three year old does! :)
It starts very easy! The key is to make it age-appropriate and train them well with one small job at a time. When my kids were 3 they did chores like "help" to make their bed, clean up any toys on their floor, put folded laundry in their drawers, take the cloth napkins to the hamper after dinner, take any recyclables out to the bin, and then just basic ones like get dressed, comb hair, brush teeth (not really chores at all but just practice opportunities to do a task well). My kids didn't really start to become super helpful until around age 6 when they were trained with how to take on bigger jobs.
Yes I'm excited to write about it soon! It's been such a great part of this lifestyle we live!
Great article! I really miss (and need) my morning quiet time before everyone is up, but my 3 year old wakes up just when I’m about to sit down and read the Bible. Then breakfast starts because kids are so hungry in the morning! Happens more than half the week. Any advice?
Busy Toddler on Instagram suggested leaving dry cereal in their room to tide them over and when mine get up before their clock I get them a covered cup of milk and a covered snack dish of dry cereal and send them back in to read or play quietly until the clock changes. It works really well for me!
Yes I've done the cup of milk before too! Whatever can tide them over for those last few minutes of staying in their room works great...books, quiet toys, a little snack. Glad it works well for you!
That is so hard! My 2 year old was waking before 6am for almost a year and it was definitely frustrating at first, but then I learned to have quiet time with him (read books, go outside if it was warm enough) and it did shift my mindset a bit. My kids do use an “ok to wake clock” and can understand how to stay in their rooms until a set time if they wake early. It’s been a lifesaver!
love this, Mollie!!
Thank you Jenna!
I love this post (we are so similar 🤣). I’d love to see your list of wholesome movies the whole family loves!
Thanks! I'll share that list of movies sometime soon! Glad to have a fellow likeminded mama on here!
Thanks for sharing!