https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 15 Jul 2026 00:17:02 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/responsibilities-for-4-year-olds#post-2603266 Fri, 12 Aug 2016 12:33:35 +0000 looch 2603266@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SugarplumsMom: We have a Dustbuster, it's the one where you can pop out the handheld vac. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/responsibilities-for-4-year-olds#post-2603260 Fri, 12 Aug 2016 12:21:01 +0000 SugarplumsMom 2603260@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: Good idea with the lightweight vacuum. We were just watching a Curious George episode with him getting a little handheld vacuum. Which one do you have? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/responsibilities-for-4-year-olds#post-2603239 Fri, 12 Aug 2016 11:32:24 +0000 jhd 2603239@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrswin: that's a great list! I hadn't thought about asking my LO (2) to help clean baseboards, but we will definitely be doing that soon. I am in the process of rearranging the kitchen cabinets a little so he can help me unload plastic dishes from the dishwasher. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/responsibilities-for-4-year-olds#post-2603236 Fri, 12 Aug 2016 11:26:20 +0000 erinbaderin 2603236@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A warning on this list and "moving clothes from the washer to dryer" - DO NOT ATTEMPT if you have stackables. My 2.5 year old wanted to help one day and I was almost done so I let him pull something out of the washer and then I lifted him up to throw it in the dryer. He LOVED it and now every time I do laundry he wants to do all the transferring, one item at a time, which is very very very hard on mommy's arms. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/responsibilities-for-4-year-olds#post-2603219 Fri, 12 Aug 2016 11:05:05 +0000 looch 2603219@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrswin: Ohhhh, that could work, donating some outgrown toys and books for pocket money! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/responsibilities-for-4-year-olds#post-2603190 Fri, 12 Aug 2016 10:28:34 +0000 mrswin 2603190@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShootingStar: There is this great website I refer to from time to time that talks about how you can incorporate good money management habits into everyday life and it breaks it down by age. I don't have it book marked on this computer but will try and remember to post it when I am home.</p> <p>On of the suggestions for younger kids is to help plan for grocery shopping. In that case you would say to your DS, this week we only have $20 to spend on snacks for school lunches, you talk about what kind of snacks he would like, how much they each cost, how many snacks are in each box, how you will shop again next week so maybe some items have to wait until the next trip, etc. It helps him learn that money is finite and we cannot have everything we want. </p> <p>The other thing we plan to do is to sponsor a family at Christmas time which offers another opportunity to do something similar. Talk about how many people are in the family, make a list of things we want to get for them, how much everything costs and if we have enough in our budget to do it. If not, then we can look at if there are other way to be able to give more, maybe donating some of our own toys or books or clothes, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/responsibilities-for-4-year-olds#post-2603171 Fri, 12 Aug 2016 10:09:45 +0000 Mama Bird 2603171@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 3.5 year old's only chore is picking up his toys. He can wash dishes and water flowers, but it's optional so I guess it's not a chore. There's no pay involved, it's more a matter of if it's not done, someone might trip and/or mommy might lose her mind :silly: I've no idea if we'll do an allowance for chores down the road, so I'm curious what others are doing.</p> <p>@caterw: I had to Google those balls - did not know they were called that! :grin: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/responsibilities-for-4-year-olds#post-2603168 Fri, 12 Aug 2016 10:08:43 +0000 mrswin 2603168@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: I would just start with having him clear his own dishes if you are still facing challenges with how long it takes him to eat a meal. It only adds another minute or two before the bedtime routine starts. </p> <p>@looch: @ShootingStar: The way it was for me when I was growing up was that we earned money for "jobs". We had a paper route (Sears catalogues), we would watch a neighbours pet when they were away for the weekend, etc. Even if my parents agreed to check in on the pet they would pay us for doing it.</p> <p>Also we got a little bit of spending money on a regular basis, about $5 per week. My parents taught us money management that way. For example when we used to go visit my grandparents in Florida every year we would each get $50 spending money for the trip. My parents would encourage us to really think about how to spend that money. If we spent it all on stuff the first couple of days and didn't have anything left and we saw something that we wanted later in the trip they would talk to us about how we had already spent our money and that next time we should save some. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/responsibilities-for-4-year-olds#post-2603148 Fri, 12 Aug 2016 09:43:04 +0000 ShootingStar 2603148@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yoursilverlining: @mrswin: I am torn on this issue. On one hand I agree that there are things kids should do contribute to the household, we are not their servants. But then how do you teach them that money is earned? My parents didn't do a great job about getting me financially ready for the real world and I want to make sure our kids are more prepared than I was. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/responsibilities-for-4-year-olds#post-2603147 Fri, 12 Aug 2016 09:42:52 +0000 looch 2603147@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@caterw: Well, he does that already and we don't pay him for those tasks either.</p> <p>I like the idea of special "above and beyond" tasks, but I fall short on coming up with them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/responsibilities-for-4-year-olds#post-2603144 Fri, 12 Aug 2016 09:36:14 +0000 yoursilverlining 2603144@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrswin: TOTALLY agree with you about not paying to do the majority of the types of chores on that list (or other basic household duties). That's all part of being a member of the family, there is no pay or additional reward. </p> <p>I never got an allowance growing up either for doing those types of chores, so that's my experience. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/responsibilities-for-4-year-olds#post-2603120 Fri, 12 Aug 2016 09:05:52 +0000 caterw 2603120@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: what about outside stuff? He could pull weeds, plant/ water flowers, pick up sticks and itchy balls, take out the trash... Older kids can mow (which is my absolute least favorite chore of all time). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/responsibilities-for-4-year-olds#post-2603061 Fri, 12 Aug 2016 07:23:27 +0000 looch 2603061@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@caterw: I didn't get paid at all, but let's say I wanted to go to the mall with friends, my parents would give me some spending money.</p> <p>We have a cleaning lady, I don't even scrub the bathroom, so I can't imagine paying my son to do that, that's my main issue. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/responsibilities-for-4-year-olds#post-2603057 Fri, 12 Aug 2016 07:21:04 +0000 caterw 2603057@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: my parents had basic expectations of us that we didn't get paid for (helping with meals and laundry), and then "extra cleaning" was how we earned chore money- washing windows, scrubbing bathrooms, vacuuming, etc. I will do something similar with DD. Anything that she gets dirty every single day doesn't need to be a paid chore, but taking some of the weekly cleaning tasks off of my hands will be a huge help. I'll probably start with allowance in kindergarten. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/responsibilities-for-4-year-olds#post-2603052 Fri, 12 Aug 2016 07:10:36 +0000 looch 2603052@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrswin: Yes, I agree, and I am struggling on what would be appropriate tasks for my son to "earn" some money. I tell him all the time that being part of a family means that you sometimes have to do things without being paid, but then, I don't have a way for him to earn some money for the arcade, for example. I don't want to pay for good behaviour either! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/responsibilities-for-4-year-olds#post-2603050 Fri, 12 Aug 2016 07:06:30 +0000 irene 2603050@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrswin: Yes, I think you are right! wiping baseboards, cleaning windows, vacuuming cushions should not be linked to money. Those are basic chores they have to do for life. Just that I was so excited seeing them and don't you pay a cleaning lady around $100 to do all those? Hahaha. But yes, I am with you. Besides, I think he would LOVE it if I give him a spray bottle and ask him to wipe all the baseboards.</p> <p>And I need to ask him to vaccum around the dinner table after dinner, because he still does make some mess, and that's something he'd like to do I imagine. I so want to ask him to help clean the table after dinner, but he eats so slow, and by the time he is done eating I'd be hushing him to take a bath and go to sleep....</p> <p>I am not sure how the hanging and folding laundry = $1.5 happened.... it was something DH started when he was 3 years old? It started as $1. It was DH's way of trying to introduce the concept of money, saving money and spending money to him and that's one of the ways DS can make an allowance. Also each day if he behaves well and collects enough stars, he earns 25 cents. We have a save, give, and spend jar system and DS can decide where to put his money to. But yes, eventually we have to wean off that folding clothes = $$$... because he needs to fold his own clothes and that's a fact of life! lol :)</p> <p>This thread is awesome! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/responsibilities-for-4-year-olds#post-2603049 Fri, 12 Aug 2016 07:05:05 +0000 looch 2603049@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have one of those lightweight vaccums without a cord, my son can run it on the carpets or hardwoods with no issue, and he loves to use it, has been doing it since he was 3 or so.</p> <p>At age 5, he's just learning to properly fold clothes, but in all honesty, it doesn't matter to me how they are done, as long as he does something. He also puts the clothes into the wash machine and then into the dryer. He also clears the table after dinner, can set the table and make the salads.</p> <p>I don't even do that much, we have a housecleaner, so there isn't that much to do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/responsibilities-for-4-year-olds#post-2603045 Fri, 12 Aug 2016 07:00:47 +0000 caterw 2603045@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD is 2.5 and her chores are:<br /> Put dirty clothes in hamper<br /> Load washing machine and help move clothes to dryer while I hang up stuff that can't be dried<br /> Dishes in the sink<br /> Set utensils and napkins on the table<br /> Clean up toys<br /> Swiffer what she can reach<br /> Wipe the table with a sponge<br /> Fold her shorts and pants<br /> Throw her trash and diapers away</p> <p>She loves to help!! She says "mommy I am organized" hahahaha </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/responsibilities-for-4-year-olds#post-2603029 Fri, 12 Aug 2016 06:06:57 +0000 mrswin 2603029@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: I think it's great that your DS does all those things already. I think the baseboard thing is on there because it is down at their level and a fairly "low risk" job :silly: </p> <p>Right now we don't plan to give DD an allowance for most of the basic things on this list because I feel like kids should help out with normal household tasks like putting dishes in the sink, setting the table, etc, because they are good life skills and basic manners. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/responsibilities-for-4-year-olds#post-2602962 Thu, 11 Aug 2016 22:42:05 +0000 ALV91711 2602962@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS is 3 and doesn't have set chores but helps out around the house. Really he just likes to do what I'm doing.</p> <p>He has a spray bottle that I fill with water and he will spray and wipe cupboards, appliances, doors. He helps take care of the garden, puts his toys away, helps with laundry, sweeps, helps vaccuum, unloads the dishwasher etc.</p> <p>I need to get him more involved with dinner help, setting/clearing table etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/responsibilities-for-4-year-olds#post-2602940 Thu, 11 Aug 2016 21:17:25 +0000 irene 2602940@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrswin: Thanks for your link!!! OMG, I would PAY my 4 year old if he would indeed: wipe baseboards with soapy water, wipe cabinets, vaccum couch/chairs/cushions, clean windows! What?! Gosh, I don't even do those and we don't have a maid!! Seriously, I would honestly pay DS if he'd do it.</p> <p>For now at 4.5 years old he:<br /> - pick up and put away toys (must)<br /> - put clothes in dirty clothes hamper (must)<br /> - sets table (gets a star if he does that, and he loves doing it)<br /> - put his finished cups in the sink (occasionally)</p> <p>Occasionally and not a responsibility:<br /> - get mail<br /> - carry the recycle bin (with wheels) back into the house<br /> - water plants outside (rarely, because even I don't do it)<br /> - wipes the table, only very occasionally. I need to get him to start doing that consistently.</p> <p>Right now, if he folds and hangs all his clean laundry, he will get $1.5 each time he does that. It rarely happens and if does, it is very special and he is saving the money for his big lego set.</p> <p>But gosh, I honestly can start using his help to clean the house!!! and @MrsSRS: the vinegar + water one is a great advice! I have to start asking him to do that. Great time waster (haha) and we really need to do that because there are so many spiders making nets and I need to tame them! And I think he would LOVE cleaning windows - he always want to use the spray bottle with whatever in it so windex is good. Just don't know how much he would spray!</p> <p>This is awesome thank you all! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/responsibilities-for-4-year-olds#post-2602919 Thu, 11 Aug 2016 20:52:26 +0000 sandy 2602919@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 4 year old does not have any chores but she is more than willing to be helpful when asked. She loves to help me:</p> <p>Move laundry from the basket to the washing machine. And then moving clothes to the dryer </p> <p>Carry the groceries in from the car to the kitchen (she can do all the light bags)</p> <p>She will always help throw things in the trash or recycling. Or if she takes off clothes while downstirs (like her socks) she'll put them in the laundry room. </p> <p>Help me carry things upstairs. I'm pregnant and super slow this is one thing that she can do that doesn't slow me down :wink: We buy our bath tissue and Kleenex in bulk at Costco and while pregnant it's hard for me to carry those things upstairs to our linen closet where it's stored. If I open up the package LO will carry the smaller bath tissue packs and Kleenex boxes upstairs for me. </p> <p>Something small she does that I love is she puts her shoes away in our shoe cubby after she takes them off and can hang up her sweater/jacket. </p> <p>Just recently we're having her clear her plate after dinner. We have a high table so it makes me a little nervous but I just remind her to get down and then get her plate down. </p> <p>And she pretty good at helping us clean and tidy her play room </p> <p>Eventually (maybe when she's 5) I will add more things like emptying the dishwasher </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/responsibilities-for-4-year-olds#post-2602915 Thu, 11 Aug 2016 20:49:52 +0000 travellingbee 2602915@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO is 3.5 and feeds the dog, clears his plate, puts clothes in hamper, &amp; picks up toys. Sometimes he helps with other stuff but that's what he gets stickers for. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/responsibilities-for-4-year-olds#post-2602911 Thu, 11 Aug 2016 20:41:55 +0000 hellobeeboston 2602911@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine will be 4 at the end of October. He feeds the cat every morning and gets her water.... Some days he doesn't want to and that's ok. He picks up his toys/mess too after playing....matching socks is a good one for the future! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/responsibilities-for-4-year-olds#post-2602886 Thu, 11 Aug 2016 20:13:00 +0000 SweetCaroline 2602886@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Match socks, make bed, fold washcloths </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/responsibilities-for-4-year-olds#post-2602878 Thu, 11 Aug 2016 20:07:50 +0000 Mrsbells 2602878@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bao: LO is four and is surprisingly good at helping. she loves to have task especially if i break it down into 3 special steps like the cartoon.<br /> She helps with unpacking groceries. she knows where things go especially things that are on the bottom shelfs.<br /> she helps me sort the laundry out (whites and colors) and knows which buttons to press when its time to do it<br /> She likes to help with cooking too just basic prep or stirring things in on the counter. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/responsibilities-for-4-year-olds#post-2602858 Thu, 11 Aug 2016 19:49:02 +0000 MrsSRS 2602858@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My just turned 3 can:<br /> Clear everyone's dishes from table to kitchen<br /> Put things in the recycling and trash<br /> Put laundry in hamper.<br /> Put laundry in the washer<br /> Spray vinegar and water on hard surfaces and wipe with rag (not thoroughly, but a great time killer)<br /> Vacuum and sweep (not effectively at all, but fun) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/responsibilities-for-4-year-olds#post-2602843 Thu, 11 Aug 2016 19:25:09 +0000 LilSprinkles 2602843@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 2 year old's daily chores are making his bed, putting his dirty clothes in the laundry basket, cleaning up his toys and books, and feeding the dog. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/responsibilities-for-4-year-olds#post-2602826 Thu, 11 Aug 2016 19:01:09 +0000 yoursilverlining 2602826@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO is 4 and helps with laundry by moving things from the washer to the dryer and matching up her socks. Also picking up toys and stuff like that and at school they tend to their garden, and LO helps with our yard at home with watering and weeding. She also sometimes feeds the cat </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/responsibilities-for-4-year-olds#post-2602820 Thu, 11 Aug 2016 18:53:08 +0000 Bao 2602820@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrswin: I'll have to try some of them out! </p>