Clean up, clean up, everybody everywhere…”– common song sung for kids to clean up
Recently I had a minor debate with a family member (who shall not be named) about having my kids help out with chores in the house. I mentioned that our kids have a few responsibilities, such as loading and unloading the dishwasher, making their own beds, helping to clean up after dinner, and a fewother small tasks. Our kids are 18, 7, and 5 years old, and our family member did not agree with our decision to have our younger kids help out, or “have chores”.
Well, we are going to have to agree to disagree on this one, because we do have our children help out around the house and it is AMAZING!!!
Let’s get one thing straight before I go on. My children are NOT enslaved, abused, or forced into child labor. We encourage our children to participate and learn about housekeeping and responsibilities, and they actually really enjoy it.
Check out this playroom we organized for a client!
THE HOW & WHY
I started asking my children to help around when they were very young, probably 2 or 3 years old; age apporpriately. When they were small it stared with things like asking them to pick up a toy off the ground and showing them where we put the toy when they are done after every play time.
They graduated to pulling clothes out of the dryer (after they had been cooled), handing me clothes out of the hamper so I could show them how they were hung up, placing cups on the table for dinner, and other small (and age appropriate) tasks.
*Personally I think it is a little ridiculous that I feel like I need to have disclaimers throughout my post to ensure no one is concerned about the well-being of my children because we have them do, gasp, chores!
From as young as even 2 or 3 years old, kids are capable of helping around the house with the chores.
It teaches them responsibility, gives them a sense of accomplishment, and makes them self-reliant.
Having chores also gives them life skills they will need as they grow up, and the sooner they have these responsibilities, the more successful adults they will become.
So, if you are on board with your kiddos helping around the house and want to teach them good habits and life skills, you may be thinking:
“HOW IN THE WORLD DO I GET MY KIDS TO DO CHORES?!”
It can be done, I promise. And it doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are some tips and tricks to help you get your kids to participate:
#1 START EARLY
If kids start doing chores at a young age, it will be easier to get them to continue doing chores and be successful. If you try to start making your 13 or 14 year old do chores all of a sudden when they never did before, it will be more difficult to instill this value and responsibility (trust me. This was a mistake I made with my oldest, who is now 18 and can barely wipe her own ***).
So start young! There are many chores toddlers and preschoolers can do, and it can actually be fun for them. Younger kids watch their parents and older siblings helping out around the house and they want to get involved, so LET THEM!
Here is a list of chores for different ages:
2 to 4 years olds
Toddlers and preschoolers are usually the most ambitious to help out. They want to be like mommy and daddy and other adults around them, and so they mimic their behavior. Here are a few excellent chores to start out with for toddlers and preschoolers.
- pick up toys or clothes off the floor
- make bed
- dust lower shelves
- match up socks
- pull clothes from dryer
- help feed family pet
- put plastic dishes away
5 to 7 year olds
This is the best age group to teach chores to. They are eager to learn and capable of a variety of tasks.
- set the table
- empty/fill the dishwasher
- water plants
- fold clothes
- put clothes into the washer
- vacuum with a little hand vac (my boys both love this one)
- put away clothes
- carry in lighter groceries
- check the mail
- sweep the floor
- hand wash non-breakable dishes
- pull weeds
8 to 12 year olds
Now we are getting somewhere. If you started teaching the kids at a younger age, 8 to 12 year old can become very helpful with household tasks, and it becomes less of a chore yourself to assist them as they are more independent now. This is a good age to start offering a reward in my opinion. It can be an “allowance” or something else like extra screen time. Some parents hesitate on and are reluctant to offer rewards for chores, but it mimics life. Once they can get a job, they will be rewarded with a paycheck for completing their job.
- Vacuming
- Mowing the lawn
- picking up pet waste from the yard
- shovel snow
- taking out the trash & recycling
- mop the floor
- rake leaves
- wipe counters and other surfaces
- clean bathrooms
- help with meal prep and cooking
13 to 18 years olds
In my opinion almost anything is free game with this age group. They are nearing adulthood, and need more responsibility, but they can also handle it. Children will almost always rise to the occasion.
- watch younger siblings
- clean dishes
- cook a meal
- walk the dog
- help with paper filing
- do laundry independently
- clean bathrooms
- stack wood
- polish furniture
- help plan meals and grocery lists
One of the most asked questions I receive while working with a client is about getting their children to participate in the tidying and keeping of the home. The number one thing I tell them is that it is a habit, just like any other, that must be learned and practiced. Be patient and encouraging, and most of all BE AN EXAMPLE for your children. They will follow in your footsteps.
What can getting organized do for you? Read all about it here!
#2 OFFER REWARDS (AKA BRIBES)
We all want to be rewarded after our hard work. Whether it is a paycheck, a trophy, or a special treat. Children are no different. Although I do believe participation and responsibility are just something you should do, rewards are icing on the cake. For example, my children (ages 4 and 6) are required to make their beds every morning, that is not a choice. However, I reward them with 10-15 minutes of cartoons with their breakfast in the morning if they do it without me asking (or begging!). And IT WORKS! Now I can get ready in the morning while my younger children are getting themselves ready and it saves time.
I am a firm believer that everyone should make their beds everyday. It’s a great way to get your day started right!
#3 CONSISTENCY IS KEY
I’m sure you have heard this one a million times, but that is because it is SO TRUE. Be consistent for success. Like making a bed every day, lay out what chores you want your children to be responsible for and keep it the same. Divide it up within the family:
Johnny is responsible for taking out the trash every Tuesday.
Sally’s chore is to clean the bathroom once a week.
Peter needs to gather all the laundry on Sunday.
Whatever works for you, just keep it consistant.
Want some more tips for maintaining a tidy home? Read this post!
#4 MAKE CHORES FUN!
Turn up some music, make a game out of it, let them wear their Superhero costume while they clean; make chores fun! Then have some ice cream after.
Saturdays are reserved for our family chores, and we always make a hearty breakfast in the morning, make a list to divide up the tasks, then turn on our favorite tunes and make it a dance party too! My kids love this. Somehow music makes it not feel so much like work.
Cheers to a happy, helpful household!
If you find you are moving clutter around to get your home clean, get in touch with us! Organization makes cleaning so much more efficient and enjoyable! We are a Colorado Springs based professional organization company and we take our clients homes from chaos to calm with our simple systems that are easy to maintain.
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