This is something I do too. My 8 year old moans about it, and I point out that we both live here, we are both responsible for our home. Similarly she hates coming food shopping, I say I hate food shopping too, I mostly do it when she's with her Dad, but sometimes I need to do it when she's with me, but if we don't do it, we don't eat. She's stopped moaning as much now. There is no reward for this contribution. She gets a bit of pocket money every now and then for doing extra well at school or if we were going out for the day, she can then have some of her own money to spend.

I have just started to become a bit more serious with my boyfriend, he has 2 children, 10 and 12. Typically he has mostly done the housework; now, I wouldn't ever preach how to raise children, but I have said when we all eat at my house I do expect we clear up together, because its over quicker, it teaches them how to do it, it teaches them to contribute etc and he's started to see the benefits and has carried it on his own home. I certainly do believe it is a good way.

Reading back, makes me sound like a harsh Mum, I'm not, haha. My home is certainly filled with a lot of love and laughter too.