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It's certainly can be a chore to get a child to do a chore! Cooper is at the age that he can help out around the house.

I made a chore chart w/ 9 squares, with pictures to show him what his chores were for the week. When he did one of them, he crossed it off and got a dime.

He was so excited. I think the trick is to start early enough so that they still think it's fun to help Mommy out!

What chores do your kids do? Do you have any special tricks to get them done? What about those of you with older kids?

How old is Cooper? What's a good age to start chores?

Cooper is about to turn 4. We started "formal" chores at about 3 1/2. My 19m, who follows her brother around like his shadow, will help out when I ask her to.

Once they are up and on their feet, I don't think you can start too young. I can tell Elizabeth to go put her shoes in her closet or her babydoll in her bed and she'll go do it. It helps w/ learning 2-3 step directions, too!

Cooper's jobs were things like making his bed, setting the table, taking his dirty clothes to the laundry room, helping to clear the table, picking up his room, etc. Things that are safe for him to do (no cleaning products, yet).

It made him feel like such a "big boy" and was actually a big help to me. The job done wasn't "perfect", but this is about establishing chores as a routine and being of service to the family.

Jodi has her little jobs she does. Nothing formal.
She helps get the dogs food in the morning (and wants to keep doing it all day!) and helps clean up and put things away. She loves sweeping and loves helping w/ dishes (though sometimes -- shh, don't tell her -- I think it's not always very helpful......lol)

Just read this in a MomSense magazine....

Clutter Combat Rules for Kids: teach them to...

*Keep food out of their bedroom.
*Throw dirty clothes in the laundry basket or hamper.
*Pick up any dangerous items such as balls, plastic building pieces or scissors.
*Put away the toys they're finished playing with before taking out something new.
*Clean up their play area every night before going to bed.