Spring is the time to sweep away winter and welcome warm breezes. While many parents find it easier to tackle the job alone, spring cleaning is a ritual in which children, even the smallest, should be included.
Two to five year olds can help by picking up their toys and putting them away. Spring is a great time to sort through toys and books and decide which ones can be donated. If her son has separation anxiety about her belongings, she can save this job for nap time or reward her generosity by giving her “big boy” or “big girl” replacements. You can also help by trying on summer clothes and donating items that are too small.
Kids this age are also great at dusting. Remember, you are not looking for perfection, just participation! Show them how to sort items to recycle, such as newspaper, cardboard, plastic, and aluminum, and create a designated recycling center in your home to make this job easier. They can also remove their own dishes from the table and put them by the sink.
Children ages 6 to 10 can help by cleaning cabinet fronts, emptying trash cans, folding and putting away clothes, or cleaning sinks. These kids can feed the pet, help prepare meals, set or clear the table, and empty the dishwasher.
Older children can also help younger siblings with their jobs. This will allow them to be leaders and establish a feeling of teamwork in your home.
When kids reach the age of 11 to 16, they’re ready to vacuum, mop, or even scrub toilets (sometimes the “dirtier” the job, the sexier it can be!) This age can also bring out to walk pets, prepare meals, load the dishwasher, do laundry, and even do a little ironing. Remember, don’t assume that because they’ve seen you do these jobs, they know what to do and what not to do. Be sure to give them a lesson on how to use the dishwasher and what detergent to use. You may have to show the kids more than once and it wouldn’t hurt to post a quick reference guide where they can quickly get answers.
Children in middle school and early high school should also be encouraged to do neighborhood work. These kids make great babysitters, lawnmowers, or dog walkers.
The teen years are often when kids take their first “real world” job. But that doesn’t mean they stop participating in family chores. Older kids can help out with big jobs, like rolling up rugs to take outside, filing papers that have accumulated on kitchen counters, dry cleaning, or carrying items donated to Goodwill or the Salvation Army. If they are good drivers, they should also be asked to bring younger siblings to sports practices or home from school.
Remember the satisfaction you get when you check off an item on your to-do list. Give kids that same feeling by creating your own to-do list. Whether you get a solid chore chart or just print out a to-do list from your computer, your kids will feel a sense of accomplishment as they complete their chores.
Children should be involved in routine cleanup because they are part of the family. But other jobs are better rewarded with an assignment. Only you can decide on a suitable amount. You can also reward jobs well done with a special treat, like a late night, your favorite dessert, or an outing. Chuck E. Cheese offers a printable clean room chart on their website, www.chuckecheese.com In true mouse marketing fashion, they offer 10 free tokens for kids who bring in signed sheets.
Establish a routine and stick to it. And make it fun. If you bark commands, you teach children that cleanliness is a punishment. If you talk about how much you hate cleaning, your kids will hate cleaning too. Instead, use chores as a team building tool and remind your family members that they’re all part of the clean team. Set a timer and challenge your family to beat the clock. Create a light environment by turning chores into a game.
It is important to teach children that all members of the family should help. While sometimes it’s easier to do it yourself, remember that you’re teaching your children skills they’ll need as adults.
