Chore Ideas For kiddos six-nine

Oh dear!

I was asked to write about chores for children, little boys! This is such a big topic, especially when you have five boys and have tried every chore idea on the planet over the past twelve or so years! There is a wide range of ability with little ones in this age range, I try to remember that what one child could do at six or eight another may have to be a bit older.  I also try to be very specific with each job that needs to be done.  Telling a six year old to simply clean the living room, or go tidy the bathroom, it's not going to happen.  Everyone is a lot happier if I give out one specific job at a time.  Keeping this mind, here are some other chore tips for the six to nine age range.

General Ideas for chores, make a list of all of the things that need to be done daily.  Laundry, dishes, pet care, shoe organizing, bedrooms, book and toy pick up etc.  After you have come up with the list write the first letter of the youngest child who could accomplish this task in the margin.  Remember, that might you! Every woman has a different list and that list changes as our lifestyles change.  Expect to change your list accordingly.  Throughout the day I just holler "Who is my shoe guy, go check the shoes!" or maybe "Make sure any laundry that needs to go down the shoot gets there!"  Little ones learn really fast how to do their four or five family jobs, meaning not personal property jobs.

•  A six or seven year old can be expected to make his bed every morning.  Please mom, don't make this more complicated than it needs to be.  I don't even have top sheets on my little boy's beds.  Just a quilt that needs to be somewhat tidy.  
• A six or seven year old can also sort his own laundry.  When you bring up dry clothes, have him pick each item out that belongs to him and put it away.  Again, don't have ten drawer options, our littles have one drawer each and everything must fit... come to think of it my six year old could sort and put away almost all of the laundry.  I time him as he does it and he feels like a super hero.
• A six or seven year old can be in charge of one part of meal time, or more.  We have enough people that everyone does one chore or so and it's done in less than two minutes.  He can put out glasses, clear the table, set out forks etc.  Sometimes we have a basket with everything in it that one would need to set the table, the little one simply places the basket on the table. Just make sure he knows his one or two jobs and can do them well before adding any more in.
• A six year old can easily take care of a simple pet.
• A six year old can be in charge of shoes! Match them and put them away!
• Our six and eight year old bring wood up from the basement, and feel strong!
• Beginning at about three we teach the children to pick up books, they seem to pile up around here, and put them in a wooden book box. It takes a while before they can really use a bookshelf in my opinion, without being overwhelmed.  Or maybe that's just me..... he he he

How about an eight-nine year old?  I find my boy's to be very distracted at this age during chore time.  It seems like I have to remind them over and over how, when and why!  That being said  here are some chore ideas and tips for this age range, other than the chores stated above.

• When one of my boys was eight he was able to fully load the washing machine.  I made a sorting chart for him, marked where to set the water and load size ON the actual machine with a permanent marker and he went to town.  Almost perfectly.  He was the laundry guy.  He would also switch the laundry to the dryer and another boy, a six year old, would unload the dryer each time.  In between school subjects we would run to the laundry room and get it done!  That being said, my NOW eight year old could not accomplish that job.  
• A boy of this age can also completely unload the dishwasher and put dishes away, so long as they can reach the cabinets!  If they can't, move the cabinet!  A younger child can do the silver wear, I would guess a three year old.
• Read out loud to the younger children before dinner time.  When I am getting dinner together or trying to do one last end of the day push to clean up the house, I will have an older boy read to the little ones.  If they can't read really well it is good practice for them, and sometimes they just make up stories to go with the pictures.
• Watering plants/garden.
• Take a trash bag and clean out van.
• Responsible fully for their own little pet.
• Take trash out daily, take recycling out daily, get it to the street on time.
• Shovel sidewalks

I'm sure you will have a different list, but here is just a general idea!  There are other things to keep in mind.  Pick one or two chores a week to teach your child if they aren't used to doing chores or are learning new ones.  Then keep adding them on.  At first your child may think he actually can't do anything and it will be your job to remind him that he sure can.... it takes about three days to start to see the light!  Be very clear with your expectations and prepare consequences.  Around here I have been known to completely undo a child's chore and have them do it again.  If it's not done cheerfully it's not done properly.  If you cry, fuss and complain while you pick up blocks, I will let you finish picking them all up, dump them out and have you practice again. 

Any other questions?  Ideas?  I feel like there is a lot out there about chores and all of the methods can be confusing!  Maybe it's just me.  And now after writing this I am convicted to pick up the pace around here!  Mama's not raising slackers... Lord willing.