It's important that you know how to get kids to do chores.

I have my son do "poo patrol" at my house too and we have a really big dog so i appreciate that .  When my job is particularly busy I also get him to vaccum and I should add he's only 14. Occasionally he will get the wash into the machine and help hang it but the next step is cooking. I agree they need to learn these things young for their own sake. Thanks for the idea of trade - off on computer time etc. Excellent idea.

Bravo on this post...what great ideas you have given me!!! My kids used to be great with household chores but once they hit teen years they became very lazy it was like pulling teeth to get them to help around the house!! Since they love their computer, phone and television time....I will definately be implementing this advice and make them EARN their favorite things!!! thanks so much for this info.

Patrice

It's interesting what you say! I am very tired as a person with my teenagers because I didn't teach them to be brave from an early age. I did not have support of my husband. He would always say they are too young for doing any chores, and now they are too old to start learning to clean. I recon they all are going to have their house maids. I am dissaponted because I was expecting them to help more in house when they grow up.It looks I need to wait couple more years until they reach 25 and leave home. I hope! It's not easy to be a parent specially a softy one! They use you and dont appriciate what you do for them.

Hi there,

This is really GREAT and honestly gave me some GREAT idea's  . . Teenagers drive us all nuts at times with their normal but horrible selfishness at times . . I really love your idea's of coping with this and will be trying this out ..

Thanks so very much

Cheers Kellz

I thought this was a joke when I 1st saw it.

My kids were good with chores when they were young and I don't know what I did that was so wrong but they soon became argumentitive as they approached teenage years and I often found it easier to do it myself than to get into a tiff and probably end up saying something I would later regret.

It was easier to let them do homework (now there's a joke) watch TV, basically anything.

I really am a softy and I keep going because I remember what it was like to be young (just).

Having said all that, they have had thier share when I have had to take the wife to hospital in the big smoke and they have stayed home with Nan.

They are not lazy lids by far but they will need to learn the hard way when and as they move out.

You have written a great article though that I believe will work for many families and I wish them all the happiness as they try it.

Thank you for sharing a part of your life.

Robert

Great advice! If instilled from a young age, then there shouldn't be any problems getting the teens to help - HEY even if they have friends over - get the kids to do it instead so you can have a break!

Well written!