We don’t assign “chores” in our house. Or at least that is not the phrase we use. Our kids (ages 9, 7, and almost 4) are expected to help maintain and clean up after themselves. They know whatever toys they get out they will be the ones to clean it up. They are responsible for putting away their clothes. They feed the dogs and us parents make sure they have water. When they complain we are honest that most people do not enjoy cleaning, but it is a necessary part of life, and that we are all responsible for cleaning up after ourselves.
On occasion, the clean-up can be fun such as when they get to use the hose to clean the mud off their four-wheelers. Part of the fun is of course getting each other soaked. It sticks with our philosophy that they are responsible for their toys, and it really just requires a bit more supervision to make sure they don’t get water in the intake.
We keep it simple with water and some elbow grease with old towels. We aren’t looking for showroom-quality craftsmanship. Just cleaner than what they were when they finished riding. The point is to instill responsibility not to discourage them from going through mud puddles because we set impossible expectations.
My Offroad Family 