Question: My four-year-old is very keen help with chores. I was delighted when she first asked to help set the table, but now we are fast losing our crockery to the dustbin. I have had to clean up after her more than before, but I don’t want to dampen her enthusiasm. What can I do?

Answer: You have to be prepared to set aside a bigger budget for ‘accidents’. I would suggest that you go along with the flow and try to get lost in the enjoyment of doing things together even if you could do it much more easily and conveniently alone.
These are experiences that money cannot buy and once she gets older she may not want that much to do with you but might prefer going out with friends. So enjoy it while it lasts.
Of course, if you can minimise the breakage, that would be good. How about nice plastic plates and things that are unbreakable or difficult to break? Or try getting her to do chores with unbreakable things, like making the bed.