Regarding your kids’ question “why can’t a cleaning lady just do this stuff,” I’m curious as to how they came to ask that question in the first place. Haven’t they been helping with chores from the start?

After all, it’s not as though they can remember the first half of the 20th century, when it was pretty common for middle-class families to have at least a full-time housekeeper. Or maybe your kids know a lot of families who have maids? Or do they get the idea from TV, or what?

BTW, here’s Dr. Rosemond’s method for doling out chores. Have the kids exchange chores no more than once every few months. That way, no one can say “it’s not my turn!” Most slacking will be eliminated, assuming the kids are afraid of the penalty for slacking. Also important: Each child will have enough time to practice a set of chores to perfection and take less and less time getting them done right.

I agree that all kids should have chores! When our kids were younger ( 15 years ago) we had job basket, where slips of papers with the jobs that needed done in it. It made it fun for them to take turns picking one out! They kept picking til they were all gone.( usuallaly 2or 3 small ones.) What has happened to working together as a family?

Nice and usefull post, thanks, this is one for my bookmarks!