Should children do chores?

Age appropriate indeed ..
it is a good thing .. to start when they learn to crawl and walk ..
start with helping them pick up their little toys while playing ..
then as age progresses ..
learn the skills they will need for the rest of their lives!

(in a lot of ways .. this emphasizes teamwork .. family .. and responsibility. Each child needs to value the roles and efforts of other family members so that when they have their own families .. it will not be a 'surprise' .. )

Children should do age appropriate chores. It teaches responsibility on the one hand, and on the other, it connects the child to the larger concept of family. We're in this together, we love and serve each other, and helping with chores is one of many ways we experience this common bond of love.

It teaches them responsibility.

Slave chores? No. Chores for allowance? Yes. If and when I have kids, I'll set it up like this: they may do as many chores as they want in order to earn more allowance money (of course with a maximum limit of what they can earn in one week). They could choose to do no chores at all one week, but then that means no allowance for that week. I think that's a good way to prepare kids for the real world where nobody makes you do slave labor but you have to earn your money.

doing chores is a good way to strengthen a child's resposibility when they are young. Yes they need time to do their own thing and have fun, but chores come first. Plus it is possible to make chores fun. Make a game out of them so that they grow up liking work and wanting to help. don't just require it, saying the HAVE to do something just makes them not want to do it. Comprimise, tell them if they do this you will let them do this, or work with them. Chores are always easier when you have help. It could be a great way to spend time with your kids, so you have a one on one in their actual learning. Parents who are involved with their kids, usually end up with a better relationship in the end, even with all the problems and drama, kids can put a parent through as they grow up. Point being, chores are good, just make sure that there is always time for a little fun in not only your child's life but in yours too. "It's better to stop and enjoy the roses, then to close your eyes and pass the beauty by." "Take life by the horns."

I think the child should do things around the house when told, but NOT chores. Different things at different times should be fine and not doing the same thing each and every day.

How else will they learn how to clean, cook, and do laundry when they're older?

Yes, they need to learn early on so they can start to understand what real life is really like. It can also be argued that including children in such things as chores draws them more into the family - they are not excluded, nor are they privileged in any special way. My thoughts ;)

Teaching them when they are young will get them to take care of stuff throughout the rest of their life. Having them do chores teaches them responsibility and that is one quality that is definitely needed for their lives and careers

I wish I'd been asked to do more chores as a kid, then I wouldn't have been so lost when I realized I actually wanted to be able to care for myself and not have mommy do everything for me. It was rather embarrassing to be 15 years old and have to call my mom to figure out how to do laundry. Also would have given better work habits that I am now trying to develop. Chores should be appropriate, no asking your 5 year old to clean the bathroom and make a 7 course dinner for the whole family, and they should be so time consuming that your kid never has time for themselves(think Cinderella).

Children that do not do chores are incapable of thinking for themselves later on. It builds important organizational skills and productive thinking abilities. The chores should be age appropriate. You don't want a 7 year old pruning trees with a chainsaw.

prepares them for life ahead

If they don't they'll become spoiled little brats.

Children who do chores learn responsibility. As soon as they were old enough, around 4 or 5, both of my daughters had chores to do, both individually and as a team. They did things like keeping their own rooms picked up, making their beds, feeding, watering and grooming horses, feeding and caring for dogs setting the table for supper, loading and unloading the dishwasher, but not necessarily all of those things in one day. They still had plenty of time for their homework, friends and to do pretty much what they wanted.

Even if they are small chores, It is a life building skill. Chores teach responsibility, accountability and in some cases teaches concequence.. (dont feed the fish, it dies)
I support chores for children, i had them, and my kids do as well.

I think it's especially important for children to learn to clean up after themselves. That's hard enough to teach some kids. The chores should be age appropriate. In some households parents think that socializing comes last where as experts say socializing is important and chores should not interfere.

If they want that weekend allowance, they sure better help out their Mom.

It's good to teach children of all ages to pick up after themselves and pitch in around the house. My son likes to help me with chores so then I will have time to spend with him I'm not saying they shouldn't be allowed to be a child. It doesn't take very long to clear your dishes from the table, and put your toys up when you're done with them. Tasks like these help teach self-respect also. It's a win-win situation.

Like if they are really hard ones like fix like car or something like that then no.

As a young teenager I would say no, I just don't have enough time and energy to do and think about that...but as a person I would yes, because it teaches a person work ethic, and responsibility.

It doesn't help that a lot of teens today are extremely lazy and don't want to work. No fault on the parents usually, and no fault on the kids who have had that crap shoved into their heads since they were five. Although your situation is understandable too. As kids progress in school and get closer to being in the real world, usually they end up with a bigger agenda and less time to even think about what is going on at home.

Thanks, I'm glad you see it both ways.

Within resonable boundries, definitely

But not until they are about 8 y/o.

my three year old does chores, age appropriate. Feeds the fish, picks up his toys, puts his clothes in the hamper when he takes them off, puts bath toys away.. he actually has a theme song while he cleans.
"clean up clean up clean up the yucky mess, clean up clean up " its actually quite cute

He sounds like a happy little boy and you've got a helping hand :)

i think between ages 8 and 10 you should start helping around the house. my children help, but its not required of them right now, because i have the time to do most the house work, all they need to do is feed the animals and let them outside and play with them, and what they do around the house, they get paid for, so it makes them want to help.

Definitely!! All my kids and grandkids were expected to and it did not harm them.

at the age of 5 you should start helping out around the house. chores help you learn what you are going to do when you are out on you own.

I always had chores as a kid,

Make sure the chores are age appropriate ;-)

Just don't give them to much chores to do.

"Age appropriate" is the key imo. And being consistent. Make clean-up fun and part of the activity, and they'll be doing chores without knowing it. Most kids like to "help" too, so it's pretty easy to get them going -- keeping them going is trickier lol. ALWAYS praise and encourage even though the "chore" isn't done up to your adult standard. A small "miss" is a learning opportunity, not a time to criticize.

I think it's only in advanced societies like ours where this is an issue. In many places kids learn too soon that life is hard, and families work together for survival.

I believe children should learn responsibility by doing small jobs like vacuuming or putting away the dishes but i don't think they should be forced to do the dishes or clean the attic without getting paid in fact we should pay all children for the chores they do cause it makes them more eager to work and help out

name ONE good reason why they should not

Yes, it will teach them to value what they have and that it is not easy nor free.

Yes I do think they should do chores, it builds home skills, it builds responsibility and shows the child they have to earn some of the things they want in life

Absolutely!

Kids need to have some responsibilities if you want them to learn responsibility. It doesn't come naturally (but don't we wish).

I started doing Saturday morning chores at age five and my mother expected quality work. It was formative in a most excellent way.