Helping Kids do Chores Early!

August 11th, 2008

Yesterday I was talking with my friends and the topic of chores for our children came up. Hey, this is my philosophy. If I had to do it when I was a kid, so do they. I am joking really, but my parents expected us to clean right along with them. They both worked, so this practice was the only way we ever got everything really clean. I remember Saturday morning family clean up time and I always did the bathrooms. I learned early how to do laundry. My brother and I had to do our own, and around 12 or so, started occasionally cooking family meals. The cooking thing was more because I was interested in doing it and not because I had to, but I even remember being sent to the grocery store with a list and a check to get the groceries.

I love being a “stay at home” Mom but it could be easy to fall into the trap of “Oh well, I will just do it myself. I can do it faster, and better and it is just easier.” Well easier now, will get me in a heap of trouble later. I think that is true with most things. Or even worse, the false thinking that this was my job alone. Wow - that will burn a Mom out fast. Hey people, I subscribe to the philosophy that “team work makes the dream work.” I routinely say, “I am not the servant, we are a team we do it together.” My children are now 7,5 and almost 4 and they have to strip beds, sort laundry, take their plates into the kitchen and take out the trash. My oldest is doing more advanced work like helping load and unload the dishwasher, starting the washing machine and making his own breakfast and lunch. My little girl loves to help me organize and wants to wear gloves with me when I clean the bathrooms, so I let her work next to me. Our youngest is the trash boy and although he drags it across the courtyard to get it to the trash can, I let him do it, because he is so ready to do so.

Yes, I admit, it isn’t efficient. Sometimes, it is messy. Even as we speak, I need to vacuum up laundry detergent on the hallway next to the laundry machines. BUT….it is training them in life learning. They are beginning to understand that we all work together. That they need to be responsible and lend a hand and that they can do it. It really does make them feel important and competent. I have more to say about this and will work on forming an age appropriate list that will hopefully help some new Moms starting out!

Peace to all cleaners today.

Entry Filed under: Training Kids