Chores and the Evil Parents Who Create Them

Ever since we found out that we were pregnant, we’ve tried to instill in Hailey a sense of chores and housework. We bought her a tall stool for the kitchen so that she can help cook, put away dishes, wash things, etc. Whenever I talk about her helping, I can’t stop myself from putting the word “help” in annoying little air quotes. Sometimes helping looks a lot like making a bigger mess. Sometimes it looks like only doing half of the job before being distracted, and sometimes it looks like Mama doing most of the actual work. So, you could say that we have a “helper” (if you include big air quotes and roll your eyes a little).

Still, she is getting much more independent, and she actually does help at times. For example, she often picks things up for me so that I don’t have to squish my belly trying to bend down. Picking things up for Mommy is an important chore at this stage in the game.

Anyway, I wanted to document some of the chores that she does around the house at the ripe old age of 2.5. And, no, we have not introduced the idea of an allowance so this is slave labor at this point….shhhhh don’t tell! Here's the list of things that she does when asked:

• Put away the clean silverware in the drawer;
• Feed the dog;
• Make tacos or pizza;
• Snap green beans or broccoli;
• Dispense water for dinner (we keep towels handy);
• Put dirty clothes in the hamper;
• Help fill the washing machine (excuse the black sock in with the whites, please);
• Put away her clean clothes (ok not yet, but this is coming shortly);
• Wipe up spills that she makes;
• Throws things in the garbage can (hopefully only when instructed);
• Put things in the recycle bins;
• Put (more like throw) her dishes in the sink after a meal; and
• Wipe any surface with a baby wipe when given the opportunity.

For the most part, she loves doing these things. If you have any other chores that she could do, please let me know. I’m sure that she’ll be in charge of many other things when Sophia comes.