If your kids aren’t doing chores, they’re missing out!

That’s right; you heard right, “They are missing out.” Now I’ll be the first to admit that having 6 kids doing house work (so we don’t have to) is awesome. It’s like finding money in the street. But Steve you have 7 kids, why aren’t they all working? Yes, I have 7 kids, but since our 7th is only 3, he requires different motivation. Being told he’s “not old enough” has caused him to want to help #6 who is coincidently only 6. I’m either a heartless bastard or super genius. Also, to be clear, this is slave labor, no allowance. They all get “three hots and a cot” as my dad would say. If they want spending cash they need to earn it on the side or by doing work over and above their required chores.


Every day, Monday through Thursday after school, they do their homework then a different chore each day. Every child had work that is age appropriate. It includes their rooms and the rest of the house. Now, I’m not talking about just picking up a few cloths. I’m talking about cleaning their bathrooms, vacuuming the house, cleaning the stovetop. There is no pop, TV, video games or frivolity of any kind, until they are done. When I first put this structured list up and told them what was going down, they didn’t think it would last. Four weeks later they understand that this is never going away.

Now not only is my house clean but it’s staying clean longer. Why? Because they know they have to do each chore every week and they want to make sure it’s easy when the time comes. They take pride in good work profusely praised by me and have been policing one another.

Still think I’m a heartless bastard? Let’s get to the title. Why would they be missing out? They are getting a real sense of accomplishment, a solid work ethic and an appreciation for what they have. I am really seeing it in them and I can’t believe how well it works. Many “adults” I know could use some chores. The only regret I have is that I should have done this, years ago. So excuse me if I quote my good friend Wile E. Coyote, “Gad, I’m such a genius!”