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I'll probably start teaching them about chores as soon as they're old enough to understand. My 2yo nephew understands what he's supposed to do when we tell him to throw something away or clean up his toys, etc. Kids are smart!

I think it helps if they see the parents doing those chores, and are encouraged to help from a very early age. Hopefully they grow up with clean habits and consider chores an expected part of life.

@mrbee: hahaha! funny

I think from about 2 years, maybe even 18months, we'll start encouraging him to pick up his toys with me, and by 3 years old I would expect him to be able to clean up after himself.

I really like the Montessori method that encourages childhood independence from an early age. By giving them responsibility, they will likely rise to the challenge because they feel empowered by you trusting them.

http://www.forsmallhands.com/ this is a montessori "store" that sells kid-sized things so they can help more. I think it's darling. The little girl I nanny started helping her mom in the kitchen at three years old, using the egg slicer, juice pitcher, her own special broom, and a lemon juicer. I really like the idea - they don't have to do it well, they just have to do it

@Minnie_Girl: I'm with you. As soon as they understand chores will start. Maybe even as a part of the nighttime routine? Pick up our bedroom before bath or something like that. It only need to be a few minutes of tidying, it's the habit forming at that point not the quality of work.

I think for first chores, making the bed and putting things away is a good start. My kids will do chores around the house, for sure!

As soon as he's able!!! Put em to work until it's legal for them to make their own money... then get a job! and get outta my house!!!

Just kidding, kinda. I totally plan on implementing regular chores, as well as bigger chores they can choose to take on for extra allowance money, such as washing cars or other things Wagon Sr. and I would normally pay for. We're already pretty demanding about toy pickup and throwing things away for us, and as soon as he's able, the list will include making his bed / cleaning his room, feeding the dogs, setting and clearing the table... the usual stuff.

My son does them now, at age 16 months. He can unload the washing machine and hand me the clothes to put in the dryer. He also knows where to bring the dirty laundry. He can also throw away his trash, which caught me by surprise one morning.

I never did chores. My mom would assign them to me, I would not do them, she would yell at me, I still wouldn't do them, she'd get frusterated and do them herself. And they gave me money when I wanted anyway so that didn't work.

LO will have chores though. I have to discuss the details with DH, but we'll worry about that when she's older.

@artbee: Haha wow, your parents were pushovers!

I had a parent whose 3 kids were students at our school. They were awesome so I asked the mom how she 'did it'. She said she gave them responsibilities (chores) from very very young. I told that to a friend 5 years ago and now she has her 5 year old 'making dinner' and he's such an awesome responsible big brother.
MyLO has a play broom and she loves to sweep things. She follows DH while he's vacuuming with it. Yesterday, I showed her where 'her spot' is to put away her broom. It's just for fun for now...but I know there will come a day real soon that even if she just takes care of her own things, I will be so happy. DH has been getting her used to 'packing' her beach bag. Get your ball. Get your beach toys. Get your towel. I hope I'm able to teach her well in this department. So I would say starting at 2 years old. Folding washcloths or something...anything.

@winniebee: Yah I use a pumice stone on the heels of my feet, and I make him do it for me when we're in the tub together.