DEAR ABBY: My two children, ages 8 and 11, each have chores to do after every meal, such as clearing the table or putting the dishes in the dishwasher.
When the children have friends over, however, they don't want to do their chores. Is it OK to make them? And if so, should they be able to ask their guests to help? -- UNSURE MOM, MARINE ON SAINT CROIX, MINN.
DEAR MOM: Every family has its own approach to children and chores. It's up to you to determine what works best for you, and then enforce it. If the children are responsible about performing their duties, an occasional night off when special friends visit could be a simple way of rewarding them. If you require that they do their chores even when they have company, their friends should not be expected to assist them, unless they volunteer to do so.