The Vine

Message from the Chaplain

As parents we at times struggle with our kids doing jobs around the home. I know I do! 

Dirty dishes. Messy bedrooms. Toys on the living room floor. Some days, there just isn't a good way to avoid the chore wars. But there is always tomorrow, and you can be proactive. Ask yourself, What chores are important for my children to learn, and what are they capable of doing?

Before finding the answer, recognize the difference between a chore (an ongoing task that benefits the household) and a life skill (an activity that children should know how to do before living on their own, such as managing a bank account). The following list is not a life-skills checklist. It is a list of age-appropriate chores. Hopefully you all will find this helpful… Good Luck!

Ages 4 and 5

Personal chores

Ages 6 and 7

Personal chores

  • Make their bed every day
  • Brush teeth
  • Comb hair
  • Choose the day's outfit and get dressed
  • Write thank you notes with supervision

Ages 8 to 11

Personal chores

Ages 12 and 13

Personal chores

  • Take care of personal hygiene, belongings and homework
  • Write invitations and thank you notes
  • Set their alarm clock
  • Maintain personal items, such as recharging batteries
  • Change bed sheets
  • Keep their rooms tidy and do a biannual deep cleaning

Ages 14 and 15

Personal chores

  • Responsible for all personal chores for ages 12 and 13
  • Responsible for library card and books

Family chores

  • Do assigned housework without prompting
  • Do yard work as needed
  • Baby sit
  • Prepare food — from making a grocery list and buying the items (with supervision) to serving a meal — occasionally
  • Wash windows with supervision

Have a go and see what works for you. This guide is certainly not exhaustive but a prompting for all of us as parents to use.

Take care, and God Bless.

Gary Crole
Chaplain, Christian College, Bellarine Campus

 

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