Are your children doing their fair share around the home, or are you doing their share for them? As a Professional Organizer I run across a lot of busy families where the kids are definitely NOT doing their fair share around the house.
Your kids need to be pulling their weight around the house. If your children are responsible for their own things, as well as participating in the family cleaning now and then Mom wouldn’t be so frazzled and behind.
Here’s a quick break down of what your children should be expected to do at each age stage of their lives. Do NOT be afraid to make this list work in your home. You will be very glad you did.
1. Even at the young age of 2 your children should be expected to clean up after themselves, especially when they are done with one activity, before they go on to the next. Simply sit there with them and point at only one object at a time and direct them where to put it.
2. Children should be helping prepare the meals, set the table, clear the table and wash the dishes as soon as they are tall enough to handle each task. Our children need to learn that it is everyone’s responsibility in the house to handle the meal details. Mom should not be doing all of the work herself if there are children in the home that are over the age of 3.
3. As soon as your child is tall enough to reach into the bottom of the washer teach them to do their own laundry. Make it easy for them. Put a hamper in their room with two sides, one for lights and one for darks. Remind them when it’s laundry day and then keep reminding them to change their laundry until it’s done. There is no reason why any child over 9 years old should be having his or her laundry done for them by a parent.
4. Teach your children to clean the entire house. Now, I’m not saying make your child your maid. You don’t like to be hers; she won’t like to be yours. However children need to know how to clean the house top to bottom not only so they can help you when you are behind, but also so they know how to clean their own homes when they move out on their own.
5. Be sure to make your children responsible for their own things. Call the kids in from playing outside. Pull them off the video games. You may think it is quicker and easier to just pick the stuff up yourself, but basically what you are teaching your children is that you are indeed their maid. Make them clean up after themselves every time.
You have to remember that if you act like your children’s maid then they will definitely treat you like one. So, teach your children how to be neat and tidy. Teach them to be responsible for themselves. They need to realize that no one is here to wait on them or to clean up after them, not even Mom.
Happy Organizing!
Kerry Flinders
Personal Organizing Solutions
