That’s Not My Job! Little Kids and Chores

MOTHERHOODLIFE

Nov 10

Written By Beccah

Dino Boy, age 3, has recently started telling me, “That’s not my job!” when I ask him for help with small tasks around the house. Like taking his plate to the sink after a meal or picking up the mess that he helped create. I know that this is part of normal toddler pushback. I remember my sweet niece telling me that her legs weren’t working when she was Dino Boy’s age and I’d ask for help.

*Dino Boy helped hang this towel up in the bathroom.*

All of this has me thinking about kids and chores. It’s often faster and easier and certainly less frustrating to do things myself. But I want to raise capable kids who are more conscientious housemates (sorry, old roomies!) and partners than I was and still can be.

Children who do chores have higher self-esteem and may be better equipped to deal with frustration. All good things, obviously.

For now, I ask Dino Boy to clear his plate from the table and either place in the sink or dishwasher. I ask for help sorting laundry (find your undies and put them away and put the washcloths on the counter in the bathroom). And I also have him “help” with putting fresh sheets on his bed. We don’t have set jobs, but I’m wondering if we should.

Sunshine Girl, age 1.5, is at that delightful age when she will enthusiastically help with anything. Just maybe not skillfully. So she wipes down the table. And helps put laundry in the dryer.

So how do you deal with chores and little kids? A chore chart? Do you give an allowance or rewards or are chores just part of their daily responsibilities?