Over the past month or so I've been introducing my daughters to new, age-appropriate tasks. I am amazed at how eager my daughters are to actually lend a hand to housekeeping. So, I thought I'd write a little about my experience in hopes that maybe it'll help you with your little ones.
It's no secret that housework sucks. No one really like to do it. No one sane anyway. Oddly enough, I don't think I'm fully sane because I get a great deal of satisfaction from cleaning up. I love a clean kitchen counter, a dust-free shelf and a fuzz-less carpet. I like seeing the work get done; the progress being made and the clear proof of completion. So, naturally I've tried to share that enjoyment with my daughters.
And I think that's been the trick to the whole process; enjoyment. I've tried to really teach the enjoyment of chores. Just like anything, if you express enjoyment in the activity, your child will want to express it too, hopefully. Every child is different, so assigning chores should fit their skill level and interests. Let them see you get excited and feel good about finishing a chore and perhaps they will too.
So, here's a summary of what I've been doing. I'm no expert, but I am having a great deal of success.
1) Trash: Start by pulling the trash bag out of the can yourself. Tie it and set it on the floor. All you'll be doing here is asking you child to carry the bag from the kitchen (or where ever you keep the garbage can) to the front/back door. It's a simple task to carry it a little ways across the house. When they've done that, congratulate them. "Wow, you carried that a long way. Good job!" "That was a big, heavy bag and you did it all on your own - Nice work!"
Once you've done this a few times it's time to graduate to taking it all the way to the garbage can. You'll praise them even more when they complete the whole process. Next, you'll have them do the entire process; from pulling the full bag out to putting the new bag in.
2) Dishes: There's a lot to cover here. First, always encourage your kids to bring their dishes from any meal to the sink. They should have a clear expectation that when they are finished with their dishes they need to put them away.
I've been having my girls help unload the dishwasher - and it's been great. My younger daughter will empty the silverware and utensils while my other daughter puts away all the "kid dishes". We've moved it up a couple notches lately though. My younger one is now also helping put away the kid dishes and my older daughter is helping me put away the adult dishes.
I like this chore for a couple of reasons. First, they are both really learning their way around the kitchen. They know exactly where certain dishes are kept, so if they want to pour themselves something to drink, I don't have to help them locate a kid cup. Second, it's also been a learning experience as I teach them about the purpose behind the different sized spoons, glasses and the difference between a spatula and a turner.
3) Dusting: You'll have to gauge which areas you'll allow your little one to dust. If you have a lot of little knick-knacks I wouldn't place a duster in the hands on an uneducated, uncoordinated toddler. But, a book shelf with sturdy books and some unbreakable bookends might be a great training ground. I started my younger daughter with this task. My older daughter doesn't really care for it. There are some great new duster on the market now-a-days that are really easy for kids to use - so pick one up and let your little one go nuts.
4) Laundry: This can be as simple as having them put their dirty clothes in the hamper and putting their already folded pj's in their dresser drawer. Both of my daughter love this one. It helps them learn to care for their clothes and it keeps a daily chore under some sort of control.
Ask your child to help you move the clothes from the washer to the dryer. Have them stand at the dryer, with the door open, and hand them a few wet clothes from the washer. Ask them to put them in the dryer and then slam the door. This one is really quick and fun for them. Kids love to put things inside other things, so the task should be very natural for them.
Now that my older daughter is getting taller (too tall if you ask me), she can now lift herself up on the washer and reach in and pull out the clothes herself. I still help with the stray socks at the bottom of the washer she can't yet reach, but mostly she does it all herself.
5) Yard work: From raking leaves into a pile to jump in to pulling weeds to pushing the lawn mower for the first time, there are so many tasks that can be done by kids of all ages. This one is very exciting for me. I helped my older daughter push the mower for the first time and it actually brought tears to my eyes. It's a big job to push a mower (especially one like ours - not self-propelled). She got a big kick out of it and was beaming the entire time.
6) Car wash: On a hot summer day, this one is a no-brainer. Unless you are anal about your vehicle, don't do this one. But, if you just want the bird doodoo cleared away, grab a rag and a bucket of suds and got to town. This was probably one of the first chores both my daughters helped with. Bubbles, water, a hose - what's not to love.
There are many more chores for sure. This list is not exhaustive and each household has its own unique list of chores. So, pick a couple you think your offspring can handle and let them go to work. Follow these steps:
1) Demonstrate
2) Give clear instructions
3) Observe
4) Praise
It doesn't really matter if they've actually done the job the way you would have done it - it's the participation that counts. Show how awesome they did by praising them and encourage them to do it again next time. Instill a sense of enjoyment and appreciation, and mix with a lot of patience on your part, and before you know it, your little one will be well on their way to chore stardom.
Oh! By the way; make it fun. If you show that it's a burden you're child will view it that way too. Whistle while you work, play music, make a game out of it and just have some good ol' fashioned fun.
And, after all is said and done - you've now bonded with your kids and all you spent was time, well spent time.
Happy Cleaning Everyone!
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