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Great question. I don't know when. I'm curious when others started it as well. LO likes the dishwasher and knows where the dishes go. He also likes to help put clothes in the washing machine. I don't know when I start to encourage that plus others. DH didn't do many chores as a child, so I want to break that cycle long before it starts. I also won't put up with a family who doesn't contribute to the house either.

I was in my teens when I learned to do laundry and go grocery shopping because my mom had surgery. I remember a lady in the store being impressed by me when I had a question about an item.

We'll really start doing them more around 2-2.5. Now she helps throw away her diapers, put away dirty clothes, unload the dishwasher, etc but it's fun for her. And there are no consequences if she doesn't do it.

She does a couple things now, at 22 months. She gives the cat his treat at night and she helps pick up her toys.

I think we plan to start around 2. I think we're going to start with her putting her dirty clothes in a hamper and making her bed in the morning.

ETA: if we're talking with consequences, probably not until school age.

@locavore_mama: I think your child also has to be able to understand consequences over time for it to work. Otherwise, it's just really frustrating for everyone! I guess kids get to that point at different times based on their development. She certainly doesn't understand that an action at 1pm affects what will happen at 3pm. There's no true concept of time in her brain. I'm approaching it more as "chores that will become part of her daily routine" and an opportunity to learn about being part of a family than anything. I think we will probably use a chore chart to have a visual aid, but I can't imagine us being strict about it at all.

I have LO pick up after himself. We sing the "clean up" song, but no real chores.