Video:How to Allocate Chores for Tweens

Transcript:How to Allocate Chores for Tweens

Hi, I'm Ben Hess with About.com. Your 9 to 12 year old tween is probably more interested in their social lives than you, but they're still a part of the family and can pitch in and help out around the house.

Set Clear Expectations

First, if you haven't yet, make your chore expectations very clear for your tween. What should be done, when, and on which days? Some tweens will want this to be visual – on a chore chart for example, and others will just keep track of it on their own. Either way, as long as the tasks get accomplished.

Cooking and Laundry

Second, in addition keeping their own rooms clean, floors picked up, things put away, they can help out by maybe preparing a meal one night a week or handling their own laundry, both washing, drying, folding, and putting away.

Tween Allowance

Third, should your tween be paid an allowance for doing basic chores? I don't believe so. I think that we're all members of the family, everyone needs to pitch in. However, your tween is old enough now to take on special projects – maybe they can wash the car, mow the grass or do things outside the chore spectrum inside the house to help them earn extra money.

Special Privileges

Consider that access to certain privileges for your tween like cell phone – big one – instant messenger, computer time, email, TV, video games, all of these can increase or decreased based on chore performance and attitude and also performance with these special projects.

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