OT: Chores for a stb10 year old boy.

I'm OCD and Type A so I like things done a certain way and prefer to do them on my own so they are right I also work from home sometimes, so since I am home and I see something that needs done, I just take care of it, as oppposed to waiting till BS gets home.

However, I need to teach BS to do some things around the house. I go through phases where I get stressed, over whelemed and feel resentful. Like I am the maid. But most importantly I want to teach BS responsibility and make him self sufficient, unlike DH who thinks a woman should do everything.

With my BS he is like every young boy. He has to be told 100xs to do something. He forgets to do what he is supposed to do, etc. Sometimes it feels more like a PITA to get him to do something. But with all things with kids, its usually hard at first and then over time they take to whatever they are supposed to be doing and its easy.

Currently his "chores" consist of:

All of which I have to tell him to do, btw.

picking up sticks (we have some old trees and the wind will blow sticks off of them, so he picks them up and puts them in the fire pit.)

packs his own lunch (I have everything ready to go though, as I meal prep on Sundays)

feeds the cats (only on weekdays after school and I always have to tell him to) or when I tell him to any other time.

puts away his own laundry (after I wash and fold) I do laundry 3 times a week, small loads, its easier this way, usually done while I am working from home.

Picks up after himself, but I have to remind him.

I am trying to come up with chores for him to do but with everything I think of I think "Oh he wont do it right" (dishes- no dishwasher, will he wash them properly?), clean the cat boxes (will he make a mess while scooping?) or I think well its easier and faster for me to get it done.

So I need some help. Ideas. Also I need help in letting go of the control of the house, because I think that is holding me back from assigning him more things.

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My Skids chore list Clean

My Skids chore list

Clean bedrooms to include making bed
fill dog water bowl morning and night
Clean their own bathroom
do their own laundry
sweep the back and front porch
wipe finger prints off their bed room walls and the hall way leading to their bedrooms
walk their dog twice a day
clean their hamster cage once a week
Kitchen duty Friday and Saturday night - They do leave some dishes dirty. I make them re-clean the dishes. SO said we should change that chore but I call BS. Just because you don't do something right doesn't mean you shouldn't do it. It means you should do it MORE until you learn to do it right.

I set up a child's bank account for both kids and they get an allowance. They love having their own "Credit" cards with their names on them. They don't fight us really on the chores. They know they don't have a choice. Also ALL chores (besides kitchen and laundry) must be completed before they are allowed to do anything else Saturday and Sunday mornings.

So BS5 started doing chores

So BS5 started doing chores about a month ago... totally HIS idea. I am like you, I want shit done right and tend to helicopter and would rather just do shit myself so it is hard!!!!

BS5 has 2 chores each day Monday-Friday and on Friday's he gets paid $10.00. I feel there is a difference between chores and responsibilities... like picking up his toys is a responsibility, he's not getting paid for picking up a mess that he created. lol Anyway these are his chores:

Monday- 1. Put laundry in washer (of course he's 5 so I carry the basket down, he puts everything in, he throws the soap pod in and presses the buttons on the machine and presses "start")2. Empty upstairs bathroom trash into big trash downstairs

Tuesday- 1. Put his clothes away (I fold.. that didn't go well with my OCD to have a 5 year old folding clothes lol) 2. Empty trash in downstairs bathroom into big trash

Wednesday- 1. Clean all windows in living room and clean French doors glass. 2. Dust living room

Thursday- Same as Monday
Friday- Same as Tuesday

He also has "substitute" chores (in case laundry doesn't need to be done, or can't wait to be done) which are cleaning bathrooms (toilets, sinks) and loading/unloading dishwasher. He loves to clean the bathrooms for some reason and actually asks to do that whenever he can. Yeah!! lol

What about stuff that has to

What about stuff that has to be done less perfectly? Sweeping the driveway or entry way, washing out the outside trash cans. Or maybe stuff that you generally consider once in a while stuff? Wiping window sills or baseboards, washing litter boxes or cat dishes, washing windows?

I had to do a lot of chores behind my bios because I was always worried about it. Or I had them do something like sweep then I vacuumed. They were all really good at remembering to do chores until they hit 12 or 13 then they all have to be reminded everyday. Yes! It still has to be done!

I don't pay my children to do

I don't pay my children to do chores as I don't get paid to do them. They are expected to do them or things get taken away. They both have things to do weekly.
Each child does their own laundry (wash, dry, put away) and keeps their room clean, make AND pack their lunches.

Other than that between the two of them:
Dishes nightly
sweep
dust
vacuum
clean the pets cage once a week (I help too since its my pets as well)
clean their bathroom
wash their own towels
fold ALL towels

I work 40+ hours a week, DH works 50-60 hours a week and I am not their maid. I help with things but also deal with everything else in the house and cook dinner every night. BTW my DD is 10.

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