How to Utilize Children in the Household

To keep your household running smoothly, train children to help with daily household chores. Their self-esteem will sky rocket with the sense of accomplishment they will feel at being a productive member of the family. Even stay-at-home moms shouldn’t feel pressured to run around dressing, organizing, and cleaning up after everyone in the family. One of the most important roles we play as parent is that of teacher, not servant. Train your children to be helpful and independent. They will be thankful when they leave the nest and have experience in taking care of a household independently.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 
    

   Toddlers – They may still seem like babies with their dimples and rosy cheeks, but these little dynamos have a lot of energy, so why not put it to good use? Even a one-year old can begin to learn to put on shoes and put legs into pants. Some toddlers respond well when a parent mimics the task at hand. For example, both parent and toddler can put their shoes on at the same time or brush their teeth together. They can also make their own beds (don’t go for perfection), put toys into storage containers, and stack books. They will need help and there will be a learning curve as they attempt to master any part of the household routine; however, the time you spend now helping them to learn will not only make them proud of themselves, but helpful to you in the future.

2. 
    

   Pre-Schoolers - Many parents make the mistake of underestimating their children. Don’t insult their intelligence and ability! Children ages 3-5 can be trained to dress themselves with a minimum of help from you. They can also brush their teeth and hair independently and run a wet washcloth across their faces. They can also clear their own places at the table, throw garbage away, and clean their rooms. Try setting a timer for 5 minutes of cleaning, then let them take a break. Or, give them a number of items to pick up in a room. For example: Everyone pick up 10 things! With help from everyone in the family, you can have 40-60 things picked up in a matter of minutes.

3. 
    

   Children Ages 6-12 –These children can pack their own lunches, make their own beds, clean their own rooms, tidy up the bathroom, and help feed and take care of pets. This is also a great age to start teaching children how to cook, and set and clear the dining room table. They can also start to learn the laundry routine and are quite capable of sorting laundry, running the machines, and putting their own laundry away. Try posting a list of jobs on their bedroom mirror so they can stay on track independently.

4. 
    

   Teens – By now you have your 13-year old trained, right? Ha! Sometimes these whippersnappers can be the most stubborn and difficult of all. Just as with any of the other ages, start small and work your way up. Teens can be quite skilled at making their own lunches, cleaning the bathrooms, completing the laundry routine, vacuuming, dusting, organizing their belongings, and assisting in the kitchen. I once knew a family whose mother NEVER cooked breakfast. Her four teen children took turns cooking for the entire family of eight. That’s organized!

Tips & Warnings

• Use a timer, such as one that clips to a belt, to keep track of the minutes and send out supervisory reminders to make sure everyone is staying on track.
• Start small and don't sweat the small stuff!

[lynnhsmomof2]

on 11/20/2008 Great article! 5*