With one kid, we could maintain the household somewhat easily. When we became a family of four, we needed everyone in the family to pitch in so the house wouldn’t look like it had been ransacked by gremlins. With both kids, we have given them small areas of responsibilities around the house since they were very young, and with time it’s become a habit for them. I don’t necessarily think of these as chores, it’s just the ways the kids help when we are all cleaning and taking care of the house.

It’s also important to us the kids have a sense of responsibility for our house and their belongings. And if possible, I would like to avoid becoming a nagging mom as the kids get older. So here’s our list of household responsibilities for the kiddos:

Our little guy is 2 years old (almost 3) and we expect him to:

  • Throw away all his trash (apple cores, napkins, granola wrappers). He’s been doing this consistently since just before he turned 2.
  • Put his shoes in the basket. He does this about half the time.
  • Find his own bowls and cups for snacks and dinner. We keep the kids’ dishes in the bottom drawer they can easily reach. So far he’s consistent on this with snacks, and ok when it comes to meals.
  • Taking out and putting away bathroom tubby toys. He’s consistent on this one.
  • Putting away other toys and puzzles. He’s about fifty percent on this one.
  • Help me put away his clean dishes from the dishwasher. Most of the time he does this.
  • Dirty clothes in the hamper – this one has been slow going, but hopefully he’ll get there soon.
  • Dust – This one is about 5% of the time :), but it keeps him entertained while we are deep cleaning.

BeBe is six and half years old and we expect her to:

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  • Throw away all her trash.
  • Clear her dishes after meals.
  • Get her own bowls, cups, silverware for snacks and meals.
  • Put away toys, books, crafts, and puzzles.
  • Help make her school lunches. I make the sandwiches if we are running late, but she picks out the rest of her lunch and packs it.
  • Dirty clothes in the hamper.
  • Shoes in the bin. (Our coat hanger is high, so she puts stuff on the bench).
  • Help us fold laundry and put away clothes. She’s still learning this one, but likes to help.
  • Helps us put away dishes in the low cabinets. We still load the dishwasher and put away knives and heavy dishes.
  • Clean the windows and mirrors. She does this about 25% of the time, but again it keeps her entertained when we are deep cleaning, and she wants to help.
  • Dust when we are deep cleaning. She does this about 75% of the time, and asks to do this chore. However, I’m sure in a few years she won’t be asking for this “fun” activity.
  • Wipe down the tables and counters occasionally.
  • Help set the table or prepare meals with us. Sometimes she’ll wash and cut vegetables, or fill drink cups.
  • Help with recycling.

My hope is the kids will understand, we all need to help keep our house clean and organized as they get older. And most importantly, mommy is not their maid!

Do you have any other household chores or responsibilities your little ones help with?