Old Man Winter has left on vacation, warm weather is finally making an appearance and summer is in our sights. As excited as we are – it also means that if you have children, the time for hearing “I’m bored” more frequently is also coming. We hear a lot about “Spring Cleaning.” But it is a lot easier on everyone involved if you make cleaning a part of your family’s regular routine. Summer is a great time to start getting the kids involved. Having specific chores will teach responsibility (and give them something to do!). If you aren’t sure how to get everyone on board, check out these tips:
Offer incentives. More than likely, your children will not get into this unless there is something offered in return! Set up a system where they can acquire points and redeem them for things later. For example, they could earn 2 points for picking up shoes or 5 points for taking out garbage. They can use their points to purchase things like “15 points to stay up 30 minutes past bedtime” or “10 points for an extra 15 minutes on electronics.” The same can be done with money, only they get paid a set amount for completing each chore.
Work together. If you set each child up in a room by themselves and just tell them to clean it, they may not get much done. Instead, work on rooms together. Assign specific tasks for each person to complete in the room.
Take breaks! While hard work will get the job done, you don’t want to bore them. It is okay to take breaks after completing a big job! The little ones may need a few minutes (10-15) to be by themselves. They can rest, watch a little TV, play a video game, go outside for fresh air, etc. You will be amazed what a little 15 minute reset can do!
Stick to your guns. Many parents think it is easier to just do it themselves. Whether it is because you and your kids already have so many activities or because you are too tired to argue about it, you certainly aren’t alone. Fewer kids have chores today, but having chores is good for kids!
Most importantly, HAVE FUN! There is no rule that cleaning has to be boring! Make little games out of it, such as “Can you pick the toys up in 5 minutes?” or “How many socks are under the couch?” Listen to great music, sing and dance as you work. This will not only keep the kids engaged but add some fun to the normally boring chores!
While you might face resistance at first, assigning chores will give you a chance to show your kids how much easier it is to pitch in and work together!