I loved the title my child’s school coined, for a child, when they helped the group, “Community Contributor”. It’s perfect. Here, we live in a community of 8 people, 4 dogs, and 2 parrots. As you can imagine, it’s a bustling little community! And a messy one! I believe it’s important for children to have daily responsibilities, and to learn the value of contributing to the group. People do not produce trash without having to take that trash away. People do not eat without having to cook, then do the dishes. People do not wear clean clothes, without having to wash them and fold them.

News Flash: There is not some cleaning fairy that comes along behind you, making sure you have all you need and are cleaned up as needed, sweeping the crumbs away, and washing your undies!

I’m always amazed at how many of their friends do not really have any chores. I mean I don’t really care – meaning, it will not change my mind about their having chores. My kids’ use that too…”My friends don’t have to do chores!”
“Well, I guess that’s because I’m not their mom! Lucky, they are!”

But just because we require them to have responsibilities each day, doesn’t necessarily mean “easy street” anyway.  We literally have to play supervisor every step of the way, just to make sure  a) it gets done, and  b) get’s done correctly, and  c) gets done thoroughly.  They are smart little creatures, and will use every advantage to sneak out early and get out easy.

The chores fit the age and capability level.  My son, who will be 9 this spring, takes the trash out, takes the recycling out, feeds and waters the animals, cleans his room, and puts away his clothes.  And yes, he must be monitored the whole time, or we will have a hungry dog (or two…or thirsty ones…or well, you get it).  We expect a bit more from the older children, naturally.  My 14-yr-old daughter has to sweep and vacuum the upper floor and stairs daily, among other chores such as loading dishes.  It’s amazing to think she’ll be an “adult” in just 4 years.  Everyone should experience responsibilities before they are thrust into the world where there is no fairy…well except for the one that lives in your head while you are cleaning (if you are a really happy person..or maybe a bit crazy).

The chores we have assigned to each child can be completed in about 30-40 minutes generally.  If it takes longer, it’s only because they are being really goofy and distracted.  We definitely believe in kids being kids.  But I also think it’s important they know how to clean up after themselves, and understand that living in the world is a give and take.  If you’re being fed a warm meal, then you should not have problem helping to clean up afterwards.

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I may be limited on storage space, and when coupled with a family of 8…well that can be “clutterous”, but c’mon! With a large family, we absolutely must have daily chores for all the capable children. I like the phrase they used at school to describe it, “Be a Community Contributor”. Fact is that I am not the only one dirtying laundry, I am not the only one using dishes, I am not the only one eating, I am not the only one producing trash, I am not the only one that wanted our animals to join our family, I am not the only….well, you get the point.
So, every day after school, the kids do their chores (well, with the exception of those days where they are slacking – I mean we are slacking :/ ). I love those days when everyone really buckles down and it’s obvious we just did a clean up. It feels so good…for like 10 minutes. Because it seems that’s about how long it lasts.
Yesterday I was pleasantly surprised to find they did all their chores, and even a bit extra, clearing and cleaning the kitchen counter. So when I got up this morning, I took counter-top-inventory and found all kinds of counter-productive items…like a fluffy pumpkin, plastic playdough knife, gum wrappers, dirty spoons, bread crumbs, rags, lotion (sun block of all kinds – and we live in the pacific northwest where it’s officially freezing so where the heck did that come from since yesterday?)…Don’t misunderstand me. I am not a neat-freak (my sister or mom would laugh that I even said the word “neatfreak” in the same sentence as “I”). But I DO require a level of neatness and cleanliness. And we do have SOME cupboards and drawers, so geez people (meaning the little people who I call my kids), let’s use them!

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