Chores or no chores

[Deleted member 21686]

I heard an interesting debate on the radio today about wether you should make your children do chores while they are growing up or not.

Myself I'm a firm believer in children contributing to the household and all 4 of my children were brought up that way and knew no other.
Consequentially they've all grown up to be very able balenced adults with plenty of confidence and not afraid to atempt new things.

All of them can cook even my oldest son who is quite macho can cook sunday lunch and some quite adventuress meals.

They all had half an hour of chores to do each evening after school then they could watch the TV.

With both my wife and I working full time we all contributed as a team which they in turn have done with their families.

I personally think it prepares them for the big wild world and my children enjoyed helping us.

I'd be interested to know what other peoples thoughts on this is as some people rang in and said they should be allowed to be children because childhood is so short.

 

[Canalsman]

Children are part of the family and need to contribute to the family.

Teaching isn't just about learning at school - it's essential that life skills are acquired, and that includes being able to fend for yourself in a domestic setting.

 

[BambiOwner]

I was always made to do things around the house and that was how I made my pocket money so when I married and had children they were given the choice of doing work and earning pocket money or do nothing and get nothing I can tell you that they both did things even when we were away on self catering holiday they would have a list of jobs to nbe done. They never moaned and just got on with it.

 

[antiquesam]

When I were a lad I had to get up at 2 o'clock and light the fires, scrub the floors and bake the bread before doing a paper round. Then I would come back and make everyones breakfast before going to school, taking some darning to do during lessons. When I got back I did my paper round again before digging the garden and bringing in the coal. It never did me any harm, apart from the fact that I died of exhaustion when I was 15.

 

[Canalsman]

Eeh! We had it tough

Tell the kids today, and they won't believe you!

 

[Deleted member 21686]

I don't think it did me any harm, I had to work for my Dad in every school holiday, but I got paid and could but a few goodies. A few times I moaned and wanted to go with my mates, but Mum kept me in line.
I think nowadays too many kids just sit in front of the tV and expect everything for nothing and can't even do anything.
Just look how things have changed, we used to mend and fix things, now we throw away and replace.
When I say we I refer to people in general, not me as I try to fix and I am sure I am not alone with the members on wild.
Yes, Send them out to work:idea-007:

I also worked with my father on weekends and holidays he was a builder, little did I realise how much I was learning about life. I became physically strong and had money in my pocket.
Yes there were times I wanted to be with my mates off fishing but it was character building and boy could I mix concrete.

But it set me in good stead for my future.

Some of the youngsers we've had on job experience have not got a clue.

I asked one lad to get a stick and stir the paint before he started to paint a fence, when I returned he had his hand in a gallon of paint stirring it.
he said I could'nt find a stick.

He said his father never did anything like that with him. Quite sad really.

 

[n brown]

we produced 3 girls and a boy,all of them were shown how to make a cuppa about 5or 6 yrs old and wash up etc.we never gave them chores or a list,just expected them to help which they automatically did,that way they had to think for themselves and recognise a need without being asked.mum was fun and i was a bit stern,but all of them ended up being able to do basic mechanics,use power tools,weld etc.when the 2 middle ones wanted some money i showed them how to make some toys,knocked up a stall onn wheels and dumped them in town on a saturday morning,aged 11 and 13.they got moved on by the council but kept at it and took £100 the first day.even now i can ring up if i need a hand and theres no hesitation,they're there. we did give them pocket money,but we never paid them for chores.that seems wrong

 

[Robmac]

I switched channels once that woman started banging on about her gardner and nanny - not in the real world!

 

[Robmac]

I gave my kids chores when they were young, now they are grown they give me chores "Dad, do you think my lawn needs mowing?"

 

[nij]

TBH we are already training our daughter to do chores.....little things like tidying her toys up before getting more out etc....she is only 2 but were trying to make it fun for her

 

[Deleted member 21686]

I switched channels once that woman started banging on about her gardner and nanny - not in the real world!

Yes Robmac I agree she was not a typical parent and was OTT but the debate is interesting.