Nobody, but nobody likes chores. Especially kids. Yet it’s just one of those things that have to be done. The main problem in a household with kids is that they tend to mess everything up and not put anything back. I know that I can spend hours cleaning and my house will look spotless for about 10 minutes. But ask them to do anything and its like asking them to pull off their arm and give it you.
Contrary to what most people believe children as young as 2 years can help out with household chores. Here is a guide to chores children can do by age. Each child is different. This is just a guide line. For your instincts.
When giving them chores we are preparing them for older life, helping them become independent and showing them responsibilities. I learnt that the hard way. I ended up becoming basically a maid and doing everything myself. Now everyone in my household has a series of tasks that they have to do each week. Considering that I have a teenager, an 8 year and a 6-year-old. Not all of them can do the same chores and it ended up that the eldest was always do more and harder chores than the other 2. In the end I came up with the pick up sticks system. Which we are starting now. It’s really easy to do, and you probably have all you need to do it at home. You can do this by yourself or let the kiddos help you.

Supplies needed;
Empty tissue box, Lollipop sticks, felt tip pen, wrapping paper, Decorations, sellotape or glue.
Basically you need to cover up the box, cutting out the hole at the top, with the wrapping paper and decorate it as you wish. Write on the lollipop sticks different chores (dust, Hoover, washing machine, etc) each stick should have an individual age appropriate chore. Place the lollipops in the box. Choose a day of the week ( for example, sunday). That will be chore choosing day. Each child must pick out the amount of sticks as chores they have to do that week. My 13-year-old has 5 chores, my 8 and 6 yr old 4 each. This way not everyone is doing the same chores every week and it isn’t as repetative.
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Because I have 3 kiddos I did 3 different boxes. One for each child. I also have a prize box. This has things in like 1/2 hour iPad, 1/2 hour Nintendo, etc.. these are for chores that are extras or may need a little bit more effort than usual. (hence the stars on the sticks). My son for example, doesn’t like reading, so for every 1/2 an hour of reading he gets to pick a prize stick. Each Stick also has a 1 point or 2 points, depending on the chore…At the end of the week depending on how many chores they have completed they can exchange them for a prize or save them up.
Bonus:- Free Printable Chore chart and Chore by Age Chart
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I hope you enjoy making your boxes. Remember to have fun. As Mary Poppins says “A spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down” Let me know how it went and how you where able to involve yours kids in your daily routine.
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