I answered the name calling thing in your other thread.... but concerning chores for a 9 & 12 year old I would ask them to make the bed, vaccum the floor, take out the trash, clean the bedroom..... Dishes for the 12 yr old if you feel safe with him handling them.

Allowance could be $5 or $10 a month - not to much so they see that chores is also a part of being in the family, but enough that they want to do the chores with out to much fuss directed toward you every time they have to do them.

Rule of Thumb: No Play or Friends until chores are finished.