feedback

 Ah...a topic close to my heart.  And the bane of mothers everywhere - determining how much can I reasonably expect of this child.  My thoughts are only regarding if I think a child is fairly capable at that age.  Whether or not I would choose to do it at that age or another I only mention a few times for perspective.

Three Years Old - Yes to all

Dress Self

Toilet Trained

Pick up toys

Say prayers

Help fold towels

Help unload silverware from dishwasher

Help set table

Four Years Old - Yes to all

Brush teeth

Make bed

Dust room

Help unload dishes from dishwasher

Set the table

Help clear the table

Five Years Old - vacuuming might be difficult.  Too heavy or too hard to see.  I see it as more a physical difficulty than a mental maturity issue.  But I have short kids, so that might be just me.  My eight year old struggles, still, though he's about as big as a six year old.  ;-)

Straighten room

Vacuum

Fold towels

Start earning money

Help with Saturday’s chores

Six Years Old -  I wouldn't do piano lessons.  I believe that a child can learn pretty much anything at any age if you have the right teaching style.  I think unless the child is highly motivated (HIGHLY) you would be hard-pressed to find a teacher who can do it well.  Suzuki possibly.  But will they stick with it, or get burned out?  In my experience, children who start later suffer fewer burnout issues (they are better at determining their interest level) and learn faster.  Phone calls - yes, but can't take messages until can write legibly and can spell decently (IMO).

Load dishwasher

Empty dishwasher

Begin Piano lessons

Run microwave

Make and answer phone calls

Wash dishes except pans

Seven Years Old - YES

Floss teeth

Saturday’s Chore

Pull weeds

Memorize phone and address

Eight Years Old - YES.  Age 8 is when we start the Bank of Dad for the kids to deposit their money in.

Grooming hair and nails

Read scriptures daily

Savings Account

Wash all dishes

Start Faith in God

Clean stove

Maintain personal journal

Nine Years Old - YES

Hammer nails

Saw wood

Cook vegetables

Write letters

Use e-mail

Rake leaves

Plant plants

Ten Years Old - Just barely taught my 12 year old to mow lawn, don't think my 10 year old is strong enough yet.  She does do her own laundry (start to finish), makes breakfast every morning for our family, makes lunch if asked, and enjoys baking on her own (though still makes forgetful mistakes occasionally)

Set personal goals

Make several salads

Basic nutrition

Place a collect call

Use a payphone

Wrap presents

Sew buttons

Mow lawn

Fold clothes

Make lunches

Vacuum interior of car

Eleven Years Old - Generally, YES to all, assuming they've been probably trained.  The oven job sounds hard, but probably possible.

Arrange for own haircuts

Clean refrigerator inside

First Aid training

Babysitting class

Cook breakfast during summer (3x’s weekly)

Clean oven

Know Articles of Faith

Complete Faith in God

Practice creative writing during summer

Learn countries and capitals

Twelve Years Old - I started doing my own clothes shopping around then - or when it started mattering to me more what I wore.  That's when my mom got frustrated and just gave me a lump sum and sent me with my grandma.  At age 14 I earned money all summer in order to be able to buy all my own clothes.  My mom only bought a few necessities through my entire high school career.  I think kids this age can start keeping a personal calendar, but most of them don't carry a planner or something - it's all in their heads so there are going to be slip-ups.

Shop for own clothing

Basic fashion awareness

Wardrobe planning

Current events during summer

Practice public speaking during summer

Make/keep dentist appts.

Make/keep doctor appts.

Keep personal calender

Understand basic filing

Order something by phone

Order something by mail

Order something by internet

Read Book of Mormon through

Start Priesthood or YW’s programs

Check fluids in car

Learn basic mending

Bake rolls, bread, cake

Learn how to do laundry

Thirteen Years Old - YES

Sew simple items

Shopping and sales

Party planning

Start own recipe files

Plant care

Use ATM

Certify for CPR

Go to movies w/o parent

Understand prescriptions

Learn meat-handling rules

Learn etiquette rules

Musical intrument of choice

Make dinner during summer (3x’s weekly)

during summer

Fourteen Years Old - YES

Decorate room-learn to paint etc.

Basic interior decorating

Memorize S.S. number

Understand and use debit card

Learn interest, debt, securities

Learn about make-up (girls)

Learn basic civics and politics

Accompany parent to vote

Structural household repair

Sell items on internet

Memorize Seminary scriptures

May go to dances

May purchase Ipod

Fifteen Years Old YES

Pay household bills

Grocery shopping during summer

Plan menus during summer

Budgeting

Finish Eagle Scout (boys)

Change flat tire

Basic car operation

Learn to fill car with gas

Sixteen Years Old YES

Get driver’s license

Understand credit cards

Learn retirement plans

Resume preparation

Interviewing

Understand advertising

Career planning

Arrange for car insurance

Household repairs

Assist in purchasing car

Checking account

File tax return

Landscape planning

May have cell phone (must pay for it yourself)

Get a job!

May date in a group

Seventeen Years Old YES

Finish Young Women in Excellence

Apply for University

Finish Duty to God