Kids these days have it easy. Back in the day, kids had to do chores that sound almost unreal now. Life looked very different before modern appliances made most of that work disappear. And when we asked people about the chores they remembered from childhood, they shared plenty that today’s kids will never have to deal with. So here’s a list of chores kids back then had to do at their homes.
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Beating rugs outside
Parents used to send children out into the yard with a carpet beater to whack the dust out of heavy rugs. It was tiring, dusty work that left everyone coughing. Vacuum cleaners made this one disappear fast.
Polishing silverware
Children were made to sit at the table with a rag and polish the family’s silverware until it gleamed. It was a long, mind-numbing task that few parents make their kids do today. After all, most families don’t have silver to polish anymore.
Collecting eggs or feeding livestock
On farms, kids were often responsible for gathering eggs or feeding chickens before school. It sounds quaint now, but back then it was just another daily job. Most modern kids would be shocked to have livestock duty on their chore list.
Winding the clock
Before digital clocks, kids had to remember to wind up the family’s big wall or mantel clock. If they forgot, the house would go without the right time until someone fixed it.
Washing laundry by hand
Kids had to help scrub clothes on a washboard or wring the water out by hand before most families had a washing machine. It was wet, exhausting work that could take all afternoon. No wonder kids used to hate laundry day.
Emptying chamber pots
Yes, kids once had to carry out the family chamber pots in homes without plumbing. It was as unpleasant as it sounds. Thankfully, modern bathrooms made sure no one has to do this anymore.
Chopping wood
Children were expected to help chop and stack firewood if the family used a wood stove. It was hard, physical labor and could be dangerous. Now, the closest most kids get is tossing a log into a fireplace.
Milking cows
Kids on family farms learned to milk cows at a young age. It was just something that needed to be done every morning and evening. Most modern kids only see cows when they take a field trip to a farm.
Cleaning chimneys or fireplaces
Kids had to scoop ashes or scrub fireplace soot every year. It was dirty, messy work that always left them with soot-stained clothes. Luckily, central heating put this chore out of business.
Cleaning shoes every night
Kids had to polish and shine their shoes every night, especially if the family was strict about “looking presentable” at school. These days, sneakers don’t need that kind of care.
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