- Last night for part of Family Home Evening we taught the girls to wash windows. They were SO excited and were trying to find new windows to do...
- Jillise was crying because cleaning the baseboards with a wet rag wasn't on her chore chart, but Joelle gets to do it...
- The girls' faces light up like Christmas when it is their day to clean the bathroom...
- The girls willingly unload the dishwasher...
Our first annual family cleaning Saturday was a bust, however. I decided to leave early in the morning to go into town and run some errands and we never got it done. But I do feel good that my children are happily (for now) contributing to the overall cleanliness of our home. And they are old enough to be taking some of the things off of my plate. Granted, right now I am watching them every step of the way, but I won't have to do that for long. I can't wait until Jaren is old enough to do the trash and mow the lawn. But wait, that's Brian's job. I guess I'll have to find other things for him to do, too. ;)
18 comments:
I remember thinking when I was younger that the only reason my mom had kids was to give them jobs to do:) Now I'm with you! I love that they are old enough to help out a little!
you are so good! I need to get on that and have the kids clean up more around here.
I started chore charts with the boys but they haven't worked out that well. I am always having to go through the list verbally with them. But, at least they help. A little complaining comes, but only because they want to get the chores done quickly. It is nice to feel like the burden isn't all on me.
I started chore charts with the boys but they haven't worked out that well. I am always having to go through the list verbally with them. But, at least they help. A little complaining comes, but only because they want to get the chores done quickly. It is nice to feel like the burden isn't all on me.
Tiffini, I tried to do chore charts with the girls. They worked okay during the summer when there were very few interruptions to a wide open day. But now that two of them have school and ballet, and Jillise has homework and piano, I have cut it down to just one "chore" a day (plus practicing piano for Jillise). That way she doesn't feel like she gets home from school and has to do ten projects. I am hoping that this summer we can get into a morning routine that involves making beds and doing more straightening up at bedtime. But for now I will make the beds and the big bedroom/toyroom cleanings will have to wait until Saturday. My piano schedule makes it too hard for me to oversee those things on a daily basis. But that is a topic for another blog.
Good job Paige, making cleaning fun is so great. Now, let's just hope it keeps up huh? We do a fun thing where we "charge up." We stand in a particular place and rub our hands together, we fill up with gas. Then we all run around as fast as we can and pick up everything. Of course, we have to go refuel every few minutes. It makes it fun for them and helps me with the ongoing daily pickups.
It's seriously hard for me to let go and let the kids help out in the cleaning area. They enjoy the responsibility, but I have a hard time trusting them to do it.
I'm glad that's working so well for you. If only the boys were that enthusiastic! We are kind of in the same boat as you, the chore charts worked well in the summer, but are very hard during the year, especially when they are playing sports.
Way to go, Paige! After you get them completely trained...you can just sit back on the couch with your bon bons and watch as your kids clean your house! Isn't that why we have children? Wink!
PS...will you come train mine?
I'm way slacking off on teaching my kids some hosehold responsibility. I definitely need to get them used to working around the house.
I think it's great that they enjoy helping but let me know how long this lasts!
Having them *want* to help is the best!!! For as long as it lasts anyways. My boys love it when I give them things to do, but I'm with Nicole, I have a hard time letting them do it sometimes because I know that if I do it it will get done faster and the way *I* want it, but that needs to change. With all the messes my boys make, they need to learn to clean up a little, too. Especially the pee on the toilets. Sheila, there is a plus to having all girls!!!
You have a great blog! I just stumbled upon it. My kids started young with housekeeping - we also introduced it during FHE - and now they pretty much take care of it while I eat chocolates and watch TV (and blog!)! hehehe
Good luck! (I too cannot WAIT 'til my oldest boy [now 5] can mow the grass! Then DH & I can eat chocolates together!)
My girls (4 and 2) help best when it's a family job--like after dinner they both have learned that they first put their dishes in the sink, and then NO ONE may leave until the kitchen is clean. (This includes my hubby and as he saunters off before the wiping up is done, I say it loudly as a reminder to the "kids"). The girls are great at putting the fridge items away, or unloading the dishwasher or "wiping" the already wiped table with a sanitizing cloth. Plus we all feel happy working together (and I am not resentful for cooking dinner and having to clean it up myself). They also like folding clothes with me or wiping the bathroom mirrors and counters. I usually do the mirrors again later, but hey, they're learning in the process.
An aside: My 4 year old said to me, when I insisted she get her own socks, "Why can't you do it? You don't do that much work." How do you respond to that?!
you are such a good mommy paige...it is so important for us to teach them how to do these things now so they know when they are older...it is so much easier as an adult to just do it but the benefits in the long run are well adjusted adults who are able to be responsible...so so important! :) you rock mama! :)
Cherish these moments now, they will probably grow out of it :( And always remember, why have children if they aren't going to end up being your slaves!
Hi Paige,
I am glad we reconnected, too! And I totally remember you very well. And it is nice to know someone else feels just as I do.
Your children are beautiful. And what good cleaners...whatever you're on to, you need to send it my way! Actually, one of my daughters got a cleaning bug today. We'll see how long it lasts, though.
I like Candy's fueling up idea. And I am wondering, Paige, how young I can start my kids cleaning regularly? And I am also wondering how much you would charge to come train them for me? Is 3 yrs. old to young for a good deep spring cleaning?
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