When I am cleaning the house, putting away the laundry, or organizing coupons, my girls are at my feet asking begging to help.
Though I can get the job done much quicker without their help, I try to find something they can do. Encouraging them to help by giving them age-appropriate activities, teaches them to contribute to the maintaining of our household.
Please know that I struggle with allowing my children to help. In using time wisely, I have a set agenda that I am attempting to complete in a specified time frame.
Distracted by little ones, creating more of a mess in their effort to help, is not efficient or productive. However, I am learning that taking the time now to teach my little ones will pay off in the future when they will not need my help.
Instead of getting frustrated with them, I am learning to spend more time with them to teach them how to complete the project. The more we fold laundry, pickup their room, and sort coupons, the more they can practice what they have learned. I can then guide them, correct them, and encourage them to the end.
Not too long ago, I was cleaning the kids’ room, and my daughters came to help. While I worked on making the beds, the girls picked up the toys and placed them in one of the following containers:
1. Blue fabric bin: Child #1’s toys
2. Green fabric bin: Child #2’s toys
3. Brown fabric bin: Books
4. Beige fabric bin: General toys
5. Cardboard box: Items that do not belong in their room
If my girls were unsure of where the item belonged, I taught them to put the item aside. When I reached a stopping place, I came over to help with the sorting.
My girls enjoyed working with Mommy. Though they did not work for a reward, I enjoyed sharing a special treat with them.
As you continuing using time wisely, remember you do not have to do it alone. Your time is valuable, enlist the help of family members and work with them.
As you train them, you might find some enthusiastic helpers willing to get the job done. If not, then try a reward program, competition, or special treat to encourage them along the way. Happy organizing!
Question: How do your children help with household maintenance? Please add your answer to the comments.