Did you have chores as a kid?

I didn't really have any household chores, other than to clean my room, which I never did. The only reason it got cleaned, was because a few years ago we had the whole house fixed over, and I had no choice but to clean for the people to get in there and fix the windows, and put in the a/c. Believe me all these horribly hot humid Summers without a/c in this house, motivated me to clean everything in order for them to get the a/c in my wall!

I'm sure I had to clean my room and things; but I don't really remember having too many chores till late elementary school. I was responsible for cleaning my room, cleaning my bathroom (Mom and I had a 2 bathroom trailer at that point), dusting and some vacuuming. I know I knew how to shovel; but we didn't have much of a driveway; so Mom was always out there before work clearing out where we had been plowed in and space to walk around the car.

When I was a teenager Mom had remarried and 2 of my step-siblings lived with us. We each had 2 days a week where we were responsible for the dishes, sweeping and vacuuming. It alternated which day for which chore. We all got a day off from chores; which we liked. We also helped with the shoveling (we'd all work together); we mowed the lawn and raked leaves. Plus the regular indoor cleaning stuff. Last winter when the first big blizzard hit and DH and I were evaculated to my Mother's house; somehow all but 1 of my 4 step-siblings happend to be in town and guess what...everyone was out shoveling. Just like old times. LOL It's sort of like when we go to my Gram's; we all revet to the chore we've done there since we can remember. Everything flows nicely.

ETA: There was no allowance in my house. Every now and then if Mom had a few extra dollars she would give them to me. But I didn't expect it. And no getting paid for grades either. Mom tried the "ok that was good but next time I want to see your grade higher" thing with me and it totally did not work. That is the exact way to make me NOT do something. I loose all motivation. I do better work when I feel people are pleased with me as I am, not bugging me. that is the reason there are bananas in my kitchen that could have been made into banana bread days ago; but no banana bread. Because DH keeps bugging me about them going bad. LOL

I always had more chores than I knew what to do with. Mom's a nurse, and for awhile she was a single Mom but even when she was with her ex, he was useless, so I always did pretty much ALL of the chores so that Mom would never have to when she came home from work. It was always just assumed that I would.

Back then there were few kids in my area who didn't have chores. Saturday mornings meant cleaning our rooms, doing the ironing, etc. In the summer, we were expected to mow the lawn, help out in the gardens, all kinds of stuff. We didn't get an allowance per se, but if there was something we wanted, we usually got it.

When my son was little, he was expected to make his bed and keep his room neat. As he matured, he mowed lawn and was expected to help with housework. He took on a large share of cooking meals, too, on his own......loves to cook.

Part of the obesity problem with kids today (other than having obese parents) is that they aren't expected to do chores and such. It's hard to get much exercise when they're in front of the video game, computer, or tv all the time.

Originally Posted by Winchester

Part of the obesity problem with kids today (other than having obese parents) is that they aren't expected to do chores and such. It's hard to get much exercise when they're in front of the video game, computer, or tv all the time.

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The other part is fat parents that feed their children the same food choices and in inproper amounts because that's what they do, and parents that work so much that they either don't have time to cook or are not there to cook.

Snack foods, candy, and even going out to eat were things I had to earn through chores and being good.

I wasn't assigned any chore officially. Not sure why. I did vacuum but that was my own choice. I have a feeling my brother and sister (both older) were assigned chores. For the most part, I was oblivious to most things house-related.

We didn't have any assigned chores no. My mom was a single mom so I think it was easier for her to not argue with us to do chores

Well, growing up we had to do what mom told us to do. My brothers would often not listen to her and then *I* was the one that had to do whatever the list said. Used to irritate the heck out of me. Why should THEY get away without doing what they were told, only to leave me stuck with the list??

Anyway, by the time I was in high school my brothers were out of the house, and I would get home, sometimes around 4 because of after-school activities, and have a list of things such as, "Clean the kitchen. All of it. Clean the bathroom. Clean the living room." and it had to be done before she got home by 5:30. :/

My mom wasn't a single-parent, but both my parents worked (my dad worked shifts). It just annoyed me, and I had a lot of resentment when my parents would come home from work and basically mess up all that I had cleaned (not to mention just sit in front of the TV all night).

I mean, I was an honor student, graduated 4th in my class, had a HUGE load of homework every night, was active in many after-school activities and held a part-time job.

I consider chores to be more along the lines of helping around the house, not doing everything becuase your parents are too lazy or can't be bothered, which is what I grew up with.

The only thing DH and I consistently argue about is cleaning the house. He KNOWS how I grew up, and I know how he grew up, but it's something we have to work on. I refuse to treat my kids the way I felt I was treated.

I think I would have resented things less if my mom actually did some of the work (dad wouldn't let me do yard work) instead of relying on me and getting mad at me if things weren't done the way she wanted them.

Times have certainly changed.

In our family it wasn't an issue of chores so much as we did what had to be done and living on a farm there was plenty to do.

My mom had a number of illnesses when I was young so being the only girl in the family, I was responsible for running the household in my mom's absence. A typical day when I was 12 years old was getting up at 5:30 am, Dad would start the fire in the wood stove, then go milk the cows and feed the animals while I made his breakfast and made his lunch. Then when he left for work at 7 am, I would make a batch of bread, from scratch of course, which made about 4 loaves that would last 2 days so I only had to make it every second morning. After that I would have to wash the components to the cream separator. Then I would make breakfast for my 2 brothers and great-uncle who lived with us, clean up and walk to school. At recess time I came home and put the bread in the loaf pans and run back to school. At noon I made lunch for all of us, cleaned up and put the loaves of bread in the oven. My uncle would take the bread out after an hour.

After school I made dinner for everyone and cleaned up the dishes. Then I did homework and then bed. That was my typical day.

So, yes, I guess I did do chores and we got no pay or allowance. If we went to town Dad would give us a bit of money to spend but that's about it.

Yep, I had chores the entire time i lived at home. Kids are too busy in front of their computers nowadays. I had to stand on a stool to do dishes when I was a little girl because I couldn't reach the sink. I shoveled snow in the winter and cut the grass in the summer. There was an elderly neighbor who had cats and i would go over to her house and do her chores too. I thought it was unfair at times but it certainly made me into an adult that isn't lazy or afraid of hard work.

I always tell Greyson that he is lucky b/c I had a bunch of chores but he really doesn't. He has to empty the dishwasher ever afternoon (but not load it like I had to do), feed the cats once in the morning (but not the rest of the time nor do the litterboxes like I had to do) and fold and put his clothes away (not the whole family's like I had to do). He has to help his father shovel the driveway IF he asks him to, otherwise he's off scott free. That is the extent of his "chores list".

When I was younger I had to load and empty the dishwasher, I had to start the washing machine, switch the laundry to the dryer, then fold all of the laundry and distribute it out to the correct family members, the litter box and all it entailed was up to me, feed the cat, help change the sheets on all the beds, etc, etc, etc.

Originally Posted by emrldsky

I consider chores to be more along the lines of helping around the house, not doing everything becuase your parents are too lazy or can't be bothered, which is what I grew up with.

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I completely agree with this. I don't have a huge chore list for my son b/c I don't want to be "that" parent. He is expected to help around the house when he is needed, but I don't expect him to do everything for me just b/c I'm lazy or don't want to do it myself.

I wouldn't consider him lazy, nor does he spend all of his time in front of a computer. When we move things may be different b/c there will be more to do (feed the chickens, collect eggs, etc) but if "chores" interfere with school/schoolwork, then he can help when he's able but it won't be completely expected of him. I want my child to have a childhood, not a mini adulthood. He has plenty of time when he's grown up and has his own family to do things like shovel the driveway and mow the lawn. I want him to have time NOW to play and have fun, and do homework, JUST BE A LITTLE BOY. It is our job as adults to do the things to keep our house running if we should want a household. We didn't have children just to do that stuff for us. Maybe when he's an older teenager and if he has time (outside of school and homework) to help more then more will be asked of him, but if not then that is fine.

Yes I had chores. Four kids in our family. My brother was the oldest, he mowed the lawn, shoveled the driveway. Us girls set the table, cleared after supper did the dishes, swept the floors. On saturday everyone cleaned their rooms. We all raked leaves, helped weed the garden. We got a small allowance. My kids have chores. I think it is an important part of being a family

Originally Posted by kara_leigh

I want my child to have a childhood, not a mini adulthood. He has plenty of time when he's grown up and has his own family to do things like shovel the driveway and mow the lawn. I want him to have time NOW to play and have fun, and do homework, JUST BE A LITTLE BOY. It is our job as adults to do the things to keep our house running if we should want a household. We didn't have children just to do that stuff for us. Maybe when he's an older teenager and if he has time (outside of school and homework) to help more then more will be asked of him, but if not then that is fine.

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I understand what you're saying, and agree that you shouldn't make him do everything. But let me compare my DH and his brother for you.

DH: Is the elder brother of the two. He had more responsibilities, chores, and in general his parents did and still do expect far more from him. He's occasionally needed a bit of help from his parents, especially his dad (his dad can fix a lot of things, very handy person - skills that my DH is slowly learning). Now, don't misunderstand, they spoil him quite a bit and I know he's their favorite. DH has been working since he was around 13. He had some bad habits that the cats and I have corrected (not picking up after himself).

Then there's his brother: The brother is younger by 3 years. He was spoiled as a child and given few chores and even less responsibilities. No punishment whatsoever. As a result he didn't grow up to be a very responsible person. His parents expect less out of him because he's never really proven himself otherwise. (They do truly love him, though, and he's really not a bad guy)
He's had a DUI, can't manage to balance a checking account and keep up with funds - constantly overdraws, and can't be counted on to pay bills on time or even get back to his parents on matters which would hurt them financially. (his dad cosigned for his car)
This is why my BIL lives with us. He can't afford rent anywhere else and isn't very responsible. We make sure he eats here. And I swear I'm doing my best to teach him better habits such as cleaning up after himself and how to cook. He has a couple chores. His parents never made him do this.

A bit opposite, and yes personality plays a big part, too. But as others have probably noticed this in individuals around them.

Originally Posted by kara_leigh

I completely agree with this. I don't have a huge chore list for my son b/c I don't want to be "that" parent. He is expected to help around the house when he is needed, but I don't expect him to do everything for me just b/c I'm lazy or don't want to do it myself.

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I agree, I hate it when parents make their kids do work because they are too lazy themselves. I think chores are good for kids though, because one day they will be the ones running a house and they need to be prepared.
Since I never had chores, I'm not in the habit of cleaning up after myself still...
I hate to be disorganized and I hate filth, so I clean up every three days or so, but it's like I don't have the routine where I clean up and put things back where they belong right away, I only clean up when the mess starts to bother me...I kinda wish it came as a habit to me, which is how it is for people who have had chores and have been made to clean up after themselves as children.

I also grew up in Chicago. Where do I start with chores growing up?

The earliest chore that I recall was drying the dishes when I was about 3 or 4. The sisters would wash then hand them off to me to dry.

By age 5 or 6, mom taught me how to sew on the sewing machine (I still have that machine) so that I could make my own clothes.

Around that age I was given the chore to weed the gardens. Dad would pay 2 cents a bushel basket for weeding.

By age 8 mom had me doing the laundry and ironing for the entire family. My mom was the type of person who believed in ironing diapers. Everything was ironed. The other chore I had (since mom started working) was to run home from school at lunch and make lunch for her and my siblings. Before school, I would help my mom make lunches for her students, who were very poor inner city children and many of them had nothing to eat during the day. So mom fed them (with my help).

When we moved to the suburbs and had a much larger home, mom gave me the lower level of the house to clean. It had a tile floor and mom didn't believe in mops. I had to sweep and wash that floor on my hands and knees every week. It was a HUGE house and took half a day to get it done. There was also a bathroom down there which I had to clean. The added chore was cooking dinner for the family, since mom had a long drive home and didn't get home early enough to cook. At least I usually got off from doing dishes.

I'm sure there were other things that came up - mowing if the boys were out of town, shoveling snow on bad snow days, taking out the garbage. If it needed doing and the person who normally did it wasn't around, I was asked to fill in.

Through all of this I did get an allowance, but I was expected to put at least half of that allowance into the bank each week. It was important for me to learn how to save money.

Keeping my room clean was done without question. That was not considered a chore, but a requirement of having a bedroom to sleep in.

I never questioned the need to do any of these things. By today's standards, what I did would probably look like child abuse. What it taught me was to be a giving person, and for that, I'm grateful.

Originally Posted by emrldsky

<snip> I consider chores to be more along the lines of helping around the house, not doing everything becuase your parents are too lazy or can't be bothered, which is what I grew up with. <snip>

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Originally Posted by mbjerkness

<snip> My kids have chores. I think it is an important part of being a family.

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Originally Posted by Momofmany

<snip> I never questioned the need to do any of these things. By today's standards, what I did would probably look like child abuse. What it taught me was to be a giving person, and for that, I'm grateful.

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I definitely don't think children should be saddled with everything because the parents are too lazy. But everything we did, IMO, was just part of being a family. Like Marianne and Amy - I didn't question any of it or fight about it - it was stuff that needed to be done, and everyone participated. It was just being part of the family. I learned how to budget my money and my time, and those were valuable lessons that I still appreciate.

I never had chores, and it is actually a regret of mine. My parents were much too lenient with me, and I feel I may have a better work ethic today if they had simply told me to wash the dishes or take out the trash. My kids will definitely have chores, and they will be sent to their rooms/grounded when they misbehave (I was sent to my room ONCE in 18 years, and I was never grounded. I wasn't the model child either... unless you ask my friends' parents )

Originally Posted by LDG

I definitely don't think children should be saddled with everything because the parents are too lazy. But everything we did, IMO, was just part of being a family. Like Marianne and Amy - I didn't question any of it or fight about it - it was stuff that needed to be done, and everyone participated. It was just being part of the family. I learned how to budget my money and my time, and those were valuable lessons that I still appreciate.

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For all the chores that I did, I never considered my parents lazy. Dad worked 7 days a week, and mom put herself through college then started working after I was born (the youngest of 5 kids). They didn't have time to do all the things needed for a family of 7 members. The worst thing that it made me was to be overly responsible. Perhaps that's why I can manage all of my critters as an adult.

My mom went back to working full time when I was 12, so from that age on I had to cook dinner every week night, clean the house (except the windows), do laundry and keep an eye on my younger sister after school. I didn't have to do the grocery shopping till I got my driver's license at 16.

I started babysitting at 12, and had my first real paying job as a short-order cook at 14.

Straight A's were expected.