Helpful tips about parenting are always appreciated but this guide to ‘age appropriate chores’ hasn’t gone down too well with many mums.
The guide outlines the types of chores children in certain age groups should be doing starting from as young as two years old.
Posted on the ‘School Mum’ Facebook page, blogger Samantha Jokell captioned the post: “This is useful!”
The guide says four-year-olds should be loading the dishwasher while seven-year-olds should be pulling weeds.
The post has certainly caused debate among parents with many calling the guide far too strict.
“Just remember, they are only little once! It’s great to help out, but not to become the slave,” read one comment.
“Wow! 9 to 11 mowing lawns? Ummm I don't think so. There's some chores that really only adults can do,” read another.
One woman wrote: “Seems like alot! My kids are 9, 6 (almost 7) and 5 (almost 6). They have jobs but wouldn't make them do all of that...
“At 12 they're no way near old enough to babysit safely. They haven't got the cognitive functions to react properly in a bad situation,” she continued.
However, others felt the guide was a good idea saying it taught children ‘responsibility’.
“Do any of you people that say "let kids be kids" realise that having your child do a simple chore while you do another or having them help you with one gives you more time with them?” wrote one user.
“So many kids these days are not taught to do chores...it actually teaches them about responsibility, routine, hygiene, pride and so much more,” said another.
“These are practical skills that will be useful to them. Being waited on in the hotel of mum and dad does them no service at all. Showing them respect and trust and building self-reliance and organisation skill in being able to contribute to the family chores in no way detracts from childhood!”
