Hey everyone, I’m struggling to get my kids to do their chores without constant nagging. Any tips on how to make it less of a battle? I’ve tried chore charts and small rewards, but they seem to lose interest quickly. What’s worked for you? Looking for ideas that don’t involve bribing them with screens or treats all the time. Thanks!
In our house, we’ve had success with a simple star chart system. Each chore gets a star, and at the end of the week, stars turn into a special activity they choose. It’s not about big rewards, but more about recognizing their effort.
We also started doing ‘family clean-up time’ where everyone pitches in together for 15 minutes. It’s become a nice routine and the kids seem to enjoy the teamwork aspect.
One thing that’s helped is letting them have some say in how they do their chores. My 10-year-old prefers to fold laundry while listening to music, and my 7-year-old likes to make silly rhymes while tidying up.
It’s not always smooth sailing, but we try to keep it positive and celebrate the little wins along the way.
I’ve been trying to get my 5-year-old to help around the house too. Right now we’re doing a sticker chart for simple tasks like putting toys away. Some days it works great, other days not so much.
I’m curious how you all keep the motivation going long-term? My kid gets excited about new systems but loses interest pretty fast.
We’ve tried making a game of it - racing to see who can pick up the most toys the fastest. That’s fun but doesn’t always translate to doing chores without me there.
What age did your kids start really helping out consistently? I feel like I’m still figuring out what’s realistic to expect from a 5-year-old.
I remember those days of constant nagging. It wasn’t fun for anyone. What finally clicked for us was consistency and natural consequences. We sat down as a family and agreed on a list of chores and when they needed to be done. Then we stuck to it, no exceptions.
If chores weren’t done, privileges like TV time or going out with friends were off the table. No arguing, just a simple reminder of the agreement. It took a while, but eventually, the kids started doing their chores without prompting.
We also found that praising effort, not just results, encouraged them. And sometimes, we’d surprise them with a small treat or extra allowance when they went above and beyond. It wasn’t perfect, but it definitely made things easier over time. 
I’ve found turning chores into a game can work wonders. My kid loves racing against a timer to see how fast they can tidy up. We also have a ‘chore jar’ where they pick tasks randomly - it adds an element of surprise. Sometimes we team up and do chores together, making it more of a bonding activity. It’s not perfect, but it definitely makes the process more enjoyable for both of us.
Giving my kids a choice in which chores they do helps. They feel more in control. I also let them pick when to do chores, as long as they’re done by bedtime. Seems to work better than setting strict times.