My DH is one of four and says by the age of 8 he could cook a roast and a cake (without using a recipe!) for the family meal.

I, on the other hand, never even made my bed or washed clothes til after I left home (I'm an only child and my mother found it quicker to do everything for me, including dress me til the age of 6!!)

I think rather than have rigid rules about X meals per week I would get them involved from an early age and adapt their chores according to their other commitments. So a year 10 kid might cook 2 meals a week but a year 12 kid who actually studies and doesn't just moan about it gets let off cooking duty but still has to clean the bathroom once a week.

Lara I think your DH has the totally wrong idea thinking that getting kids to cook is giving you a "break" - he's obviously never cleaned up after an 8 year old has prepared a meal!!