How old should children be before given household chores?
Well, getting children to help and having chores are two different things! Children are ready to imitate their parents by age 2. The trick is for parents to really allow a youngster to help, without redoing their work. A 2 year old who wants to help can be taught to dust (yes, they will be careful around breakables!), use a whisk broom and dustpan, unload the silverware out of the dishwasher, and wash the bottom window in the screen door. But, when they are done with the work–DON’T redo it. Let them admire their work, or show them how to do more. If you get children in this habit at this age, by the time they are ready for regular chores, they will recognize household work as a normal activity. When children feel that they are being asked to take care of the whole household themselves, that’s when they feel resentful or resistant. My boys question why they have to do chores, and my response is, “My job as a responsible mother is to raise capable and independent young men. As such, you
