Do teenage boys still do chores around the house??

I mow the lawn, even though my older teenager has offered to do it. I just like to make the lines really straight and make it look nice. My teenagers both get really good grades in school and are decent kids, so I don't stress if they don't have a lot of chores. They will do some minor things to earn their allowances.
 
My 11 yr old son mows the yard (but not edging or trimming, not tall enough for our trimmer), he splits dishes and laundry duty with his 14 yr old sister. They both wash and vacuum the cars. He is responsible for the recycle bin (empties inside one to outside, and brings it to the curb weekly), his sister does the regular garbage in the kitchen. They both also do cleaning inside the house as well.
This weekend I trimmed all the shrubs (some type of holly with [censored] leaves), he loaded it all into the trash can then into the back of my truck.
They both do get an allowance, $5/week (I may up it to $10 soon), but they don't see a dime of it. It goes into a savings account they get access to when they go to school (if they don't go to school, I get to go on a cruise).
The next oil change I do, my son is doing. He has watched me several times, doing parts of it, but not all from beginning to end. My daughter has done oil changes in the past.
Both my kids help when I work on vehicles and have a basic understanding of what to check and when to check/change it. Both of them can change a tire (although my son struggles, he is small for his age).


My kids do have a cell phone (my son an iPhone 5s, daughter an iPhone 6) but they saved money for over a year and bought it used themselves. The phone plan I do pay for, $3/month for 30 minutes of talk time, so I can call them or they can call me in emergencies.

As a kid, I also had to do yard work, dishes, laundry, cleaning the bathroom etc. I hated doing it, but if I wanted to go out and play, I had to do it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GON
This site is becoming bash everybody born after the 70s lol. My 4 year old does help out with things.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
My kids had to work and I didn't mind be a drill sergeant to get it done.
The son had to mow the grass and assist me with any outside work and it was Good. He knows how to change his own oil and troubleshoot. He can do things now. This good parenting, it's not good to think they need a college education because with out proper work ethics they still won't go anywhere in life because almost everyone sends their kids to college.
My daughter got a allowance of $40 to do all the laundry and dishes and she had to help around the house as well. Actually it started with the son getting $20 for the dishes and her $20 for the laundry but he became a slacker and my wife fired him and then she got $40 for both.
My son graduated on a Sunday and moved out on a Monday.
My daughter graduated this year and is taking local college courses ( which she is paying for). I told her she still has to do the laundry and dishes but no allowance now because it's payment to live here and I expect her to help with other work too. She actually wants to learn more about stuff in the garage.
People aren't doing thier kids favors by letting them be lazy or not making them work.
My son is going to nursing school this fall to be a RN which he will be paying for himself as well.
It's not that we could not afford to pay for their schooling but if you raise your kids right, they won't expect you to pay for their schooling.
 
Quote:
So back to my original question. Do you that have teenage boys put them to work around the house?


They do what is requested, and they do it cheerfully. Or the wifi goes bye-bye.

This works so easily! No need for harsh words and spankings.

And after explaining to them repeatedly the value of helping each other, satisfaction from a job well done, etc., it really sinks in and they begin to truly be helpful and cheerful about it.
 
When I was a kid it was literally an honor to be able to help my dad mow the yard,etc. We loved it when we'd be pushing the mower with our shirts off showing how strong and tough we were because we were doing a "man's" chore and the neighborhood girls would walk or ride by. Now THAT was a badge of honor!
laugh.gif
Yep,being a kid in the 70s rocked!
 
I disagree a bit on with above on paying/helping for education beyond high school in modern world. Responsible parents help any way they can.
 
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
When I was a kid it was literally an honor to be able to help my dad mow the yard,etc. We loved it when we'd be pushing the mower with our shirts off showing how strong and tough we were because we were doing a "man's" chore and the neighborhood girls would walk or ride by. Now THAT was a badge of honor!
laugh.gif
Yep,being a kid in the 70s rocked!
Lol I did the same, I had a neighbor girl I would show off for. This was the 90s though.
 
Originally Posted By: Panzerman
My kids had to work and I didn't mind be a drill sergeant to get it done.
The son had to mow the grass and assist me with any outside work and it was Good. He knows how to change his own oil and troubleshoot. He can do things now. This good parenting, it's not good to think they need a college education because with out proper work ethics they still won't go anywhere in life because almost everyone sends their kids to college.
My daughter got a allowance of $40 to do all the laundry and dishes and she had to help around the house as well. Actually it started with the son getting $20 for the dishes and her $20 for the laundry but he became a slacker and my wife fired him and then she got $40 for both.
My son graduated on a Sunday and moved out on a Monday.
My daughter graduated this year and is taking local college courses ( which she is paying for). I told her she still has to do the laundry and dishes but no allowance now because it's payment to live here and I expect her to help with other work too. She actually wants to learn more about stuff in the garage.
People aren't doing thier kids favors by letting them be lazy or not making them work.
My son is going to nursing school this fall to be a RN which he will be paying for himself as well.
It's not that we could not afford to pay for their schooling but if you raise your kids right, they won't expect you to pay for their schooling.


thumbsup2.gif
I have a feeling they'll go on to be VERY successful in life! You raised and taught them well!
 
Originally Posted By: ChevyBadger
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
When I was a kid it was literally an honor to be able to help my dad mow the yard,etc. We loved it when we'd be pushing the mower with our shirts off showing how strong and tough we were because we were doing a "man's" chore and the neighborhood girls would walk or ride by. Now THAT was a badge of honor!
laugh.gif
Yep,being a kid in the 70s rocked!
Lol I did the same, I had a neighbor girl I would show off for. This was the 90s though.


Ahh the good old days!!
cheers3.gif
 
Flatting ? Usually a group of people renting a house, sharing the rental costs. Also sharing cooking and cleaning duties too. My younger boy is flatting with his sister, niece and another friend...so she makes sure he pulls his weight. She's particually impressed that he washes and irons all his shirts for the week. My other boy flats with a mate - we are not allowed inside the door. Maybe we don't really need to get inside his place, ignorance is bliss.
 
I was mowing the yard with a push reel mower, from the age of 5 on. I remember it being all I could do to move it. Edging was with a pair of hand grass clippers. I thank my folks every day that they instilled a strong work ethic from a young age.

Nowadays I notice that most of the neighbors have a lawn cutting service tend to their yards. I guess their kiddies are too engrossed in texting their little friends to do yard work.
 
My sister & her family live next door. The two sons will mow and trim when they are told to, but good luck getting them to take the trash to the curb. Only twice in 15 years have they asked to borrow my snow shovel (I don't think they have one), and I think that was only because they themselves fell down on a sidewalk that wasn't cleared of snow.
 
All you folks love the hard work instilled however let's ask a realistic question. How successful are you career wise because parents made you do chores. I am guessing it helps but curious.

I only have my 11 year old assist. My 9 year old suffers with ADHD (no treatment by meds) so it is very difficult for us to keep her on task.
 
Originally Posted By: madRiver
All you folks love the hard work instilled however let's ask a realistic question. How successful are you career wise because parents made you do chores. I am guessing it helps but curious.


It instills a sense of responsibility and good work ethic.
 
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
It instills a sense of responsibility and good work ethic.

And that you have to work for things, they don't just fall from the sky.
 
Originally Posted By: madRiver
I disagree a bit on with above on paying/helping for education beyond high school in modern world. Responsible parents help any way they can.

You raise adults not kids.
This means Independent of you.
Not enabling them, you would be surprised how different money gets spent when you are responsible for it's income.
My Dad used to always say, I am not going to live forever so don't depend on me.
Too many parents want to be their kids friends and less like their employer and prepping them for the Real World. Soft parenting does not work.
 
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
Originally Posted By: ChevyBadger
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
When I was a kid it was literally an honor to be able to help my dad mow the yard,etc. We loved it when we'd be pushing the mower with our shirts off showing how strong and tough we were because we were doing a "man's" chore and the neighborhood girls would walk or ride by. Now THAT was a badge of honor!
laugh.gif
Yep,being a kid in the 70s rocked!
Lol I did the same, I had a neighbor girl I would show off for. This was the 90s though.


Ahh the good old days!!
cheers3.gif



Good times ineed
10.gif

For me, it was during our almost daily summer kid gatherings to play soccer when the shirt came off, as the girls watched on the side lines.

But with the obesity so rampant in children nowadays, there is no sports and the shirts stay on. Plus, I bet some overprotective parents would probably complain that it makes their obese kid feel bad about themselves.
 
Back
Top Bottom