So they do chores. I am not beating them!

[Kenre]

Do you think giving young kids chores is abuse? A coworker came up to me and said I looked very tired. I told her that it has been a rough couple of months, but I am so happy I added dishes to my kids chores. That has helped a lot. They are still learning how to do them and I do the pans and knives. Yet, them doing their chores has been great. She looked confused for a minute and then asked how old my oldest is. He is 4. She said that children that age shouldnt be doing chores, especially dishes, and that I should be careful with my ex wanting custody and everything. Uh? I am not beating my kids. They do house cleaning. Things they messed up and dirtied! They pick up their toys, pick up the living room, set and clear the table, wipe the table and do the basic dishes. Sometimes they wash walls and help wash the tile floors. I just smiled and said I had to get back to work. Is it wrong to give young kids chores? Do you think I should be worried?

[hayliedlr]

 My kids help out around the house.  my oldest is 12 and it's hard to get her to do anything.  it's either the age or it's bc I never had her help out until she was 9 or so.  my 10 yr old has been helping since 7 and she does awesome.  even without arguing. 

my kids duties consist of dishes, picking up playroom, living room, kitchen, bedrooms etc.... wipe off counters, wash walls, fold laundry and put them away, bathroom counters, (not toilet or showers bc I cant trust them to get clean plus cleaning the toilet is germ central eww) 

[christina0607]

You know...when dishes are washed you need to use very hot water. If not, you aren't killing the bacteria on them. Which is pretty gross. That's why using a dishwasher is the easiest way to keep your dishes sanitary, it can get hotter than any hand washing.
But how hot can a 4yo be expected to stand?

Quoting norahsmommy:

What do you mean?

Quoting christina0607:

Also, how are you getting the water hot enough to make this sanitary?

[art.diva]

I grew up doing the types of chores you listed, and we started at a young age too.  By the time we were in high school, my sisters and I were responsible for the upkeep of the entire house.  I don't plan on continuing the tradition, but I don't see it as abuse.

[BetaAlpha]

I'm still trying to get my 7 & 8 year olds to do their chores! Kudos to you!

And no it's not wrong

[Rosesandlilys]

Do I think its wrong to give kids chores? Not at all. Do you give your kids too many? Yes. Especially since you said your OLDEST was four.

[sheramom4]

Quoting TerrorMom:

 

Quoting Kool_Aide:

Quoting TerrorMom:

OK so the mom who mistakeningly sleeps through her child getting out of the house is a CPS worthy call, but the mom using her 4 year old (and younger) for slave labor is mother of the year. Wow. 

Oh please! Slave labor? Dishes, picking up toys and helping mom pick up is slave labor? Hahahahahahahahahahahaha

Dishes at 4? Please. She's admitted to being a very tired, very pregnant single mom. What is she NOT admitting to? Helping to do dishes is one thing, actually doing them alone is another. My boys were 10 before I trusted them enough to do dishes, and I just started letting my 15 year old do laundry a year ago. Yes chores build character and teach responsibility, but at 4, this child should be learning to pick up his own toys, not washing up after the family. 

If I'm going to be completely honest, the child did not make her a very pregnant single mom, she did, if she can't do her own household chores, then maybe they would be better off in the fathers custody. 

My 8 year old can run the washer and dryer with supervision. Her older siblings are perfectnly capable of doing laundry on their own and once a week, that is their chore. At 4 my kids could load the dishwasher with no problem. Suggesting a change in custody over chores? Everyone parents differently. My two teenagers cook dinner for the family once per week. They are not allowed to use a boxed meal and actually have to cook...should someone be calling CPS on me as well? I am a parent who believes that everyone who lives in the home needs to do their part. I am a mom, not a maid.

[Rosesandlilys]

PS- is it abuse? Hell no. 

[Tigress22304]

wow then call DYFS on me-my ss is 5 and he LOVES washing dishes with me!!!

I'm sure OP is standing RIGHT there while her LO's washing.....chill

[MommySara2]

I am impressed that your 4 year old does dishes!

[norahsmommy]

Oh, I always just use a capful of bleach in my dishwater if it's really bad. Not enough to damage hands or clothes but kills the germs. I only really do this for washing cutting boards or if there was a pan with raw meat juice on it. You can add white vinegar instead. Also just warm soapy water kills and removes a great deal of germs and bacteria. Not everything needs to be boiled to be sanitary. People do need to be exposed to a certain amount of germs and bacteria to be healthy.

Quoting christina0607:

You know...when dishes are washed you need to use very hot water. If not, you aren't killing the bacteria on them. Which is pretty gross. That's why using a dishwasher is the easiest way to keep your dishes sanitary, it can get hotter than any hand washing.

But how hot can a 4yo be expected to stand?

Quoting norahsmommy:

What do you mean?

Quoting christina0607:

Also, how are you getting the water hot enough to make this sanitary?