It seems like since we’ve started on this whole homeschooling journey this year, my house is always a mess! I mean, it’s driving me my husband crazy. Not like it was immaculate before, but, it seemed a bit easier to manage. I think it’s because we are home more now. We are ALWAYS here! Like, constantly.
So, I decided it was high time the kids helped out. And I mean really helped out. Not just picking up their own toys and clothes and dishes or setting the table. But real jobs, so I have less to do! At first I gave them chores like cleaning the windows and sweeping and mopping the floors. They were pretty excited. They liked it once. Then after that, it became a “chore”. Imagine that! So, then it became me, explaining to whining kids, every.single.time, why they need to help around the house and why they need to do it joyfully. A chore for me. So, instead of having less to do, I have more to do. It was almost easier to just clean everything myself. But, no. I stuck with it. They are not getting off that easily. Stinkers.
They are being trained to know it’s their responsibility to help around the house and to know to do it with a smile. I decided to make it official. I took myself to the Dollar Store and made them each a cleaning kit. I spent 5 dollars on each kit. (Some of the supplies came 2 in a pack.) I filled the bottles with vinegar and water, so that they can safely clean any surface and I don’t have to worry about the chemicals being sprayed around the house or on the kids.
They LOVE these baskets. They get excited to help. They feel official. They know exactly where to go and what jobs are theirs. I’m still training them on the right way to clean, but it gets easier every time. A work in progress (ahh parenting!). There is no more whining (about cleaning). They know when it’s time to clean, where to go in the laundry room to get their baskets. They clean and I have less to do! Win.Win!
Just look at them cleaning their little hearts out! What a sweet sight to my weary eyes!
If you’re having trouble getting the munchins to help around the house, may I suggest making them their very own little cleaning kit. They think it’s great! And so far so good. We’ve been doing this for months and they are still excited about cleaning time! LOVE it!
[…] I love the fact that they are all safe, powerful, green and smart! I dig healthier cleaning choices. It’s so safe that I can feel GREAT about letting the kids ‘help’. (aka: groom them to take over all cleaning responsibilities) 😉 I need to fill up the awesome kits I made them with some of this stuff. […]