[Janet]

I hope Tink you didn't think I was too rough. I didn't mean to be, but I do stand behind what I suggested.

My son is no angel at 15, but when I had my hysterectomy (I had a tumor the size of a small watermelon) 5 years ago, yes he was 10 years old. He did laundry...mine and my husbands, and kept the house clean, while his Dad was at work. He would even start supper and then Dad would finish it up. He was taught early. Now, I don't make him do it all the time, but he knows how. I do not clean his room, but let me tell, when he cleans (weekly) he does as good a job as I do and sometimes better.

I fix supper, he and his Dad clean up the kitchen. I do the laundry, they fold and put away their own. I wash the sheets, he puts them on his bed..the right way. He use to want an allowance, but I told him that his Dad or I didn't get paid to do things around the house. So he doesn't get one. We do things around the house because we are a family and want things to stay nice...not perfect, by any means...but clean and where they belong.

There are certain things he is expected to do...if they are not done...there are consequences. I've always found that the most important thing is to always "follow through." I do hope my previous post, at least, gave you something to think about.