Getting kids to clean up after themselves is most times a difficult task in itself; requesting a help with chores may become an addition to an already tedious task, as you would most likely encounter a resistant wall. More frequently, an easy clean up chore with your kids becomes a tragedy with arguments and tears ensuing; which leaves you having to do the work yourself just to regain your sanity. This does not have to be the case; as involving your kids in chores can be engaging yet less stressful and everyone can end up having fun doing the work.
Below are five ways to get them interested in helping out:
Make it fun
The primary reason no one, (adults or kids) enjoys cleaning is that it’s just not fun. To be frank, cleaning can be outright boring. Making it interesting will make your kids more inclined to participate. You can be very creative to make a cleaning game whereby you establish an incentive for cleaning; as whoever finishes first gets a special reward. This is helpful if you have children that enjoys competition. They will be more eager to help if they view cleaning as a game. Play music, dance, and goof around to their favorite songs as you clean. Creating a fun atmosphere breaks down the barrier of resistance; and subsequently they will offer to help without even you asking.
Give them Guidance
Your concept of clean and that of your kids completely differs. Although they seem to be cleaning to their capacity; that is not nearly close to your expectation. To prevent a verbal dispute or disappointment; create a checklist list of your expectations as it relates to the different tasks. This helps them see the progress of their work, and also keeps them on track of they are required to do as they check off tasks already completed.
Choose the Appropriate Chores
Choosing appropriate chores for your child’s age makes them more willing to carry them out. You don’t expect an excellent result when you task a 5-year old kid to clean up the toilet. If you delegate age-appropriate chores to your kids; it’s more feasible to get what you desire and prevent a fight or stress. This works vice versa. You can have your children do chores that are more challenging than they are used to, but use your discretion to determine if they can execute them correctly or perhaps if they will find it difficult. This may be a means to build them up to a bigger chore by assisting mum in doing it the first time, before leaving them to have a go at it independently. They then become confident and know what is expected.
Start a for Hire Board
This is suitable for older children who can handle bigger chores. Hang a cork or magnetic board with different chores contained in envelopes. Add a little amount of money to each task. If the chore is completed to expectation, the children can keep the money that is in the corresponding chore envelope. This teaches children how to help out as well as teach them how to work hard for their money. This can also work as a substitute to allowances. It gives the children a chance to determine how much they want to make each week rather than just receiving a flat amount of money irrespective of what they do. You will be amazed at how hard they work and how efficiently they chores are carried out when there is money at stake.
Organize
Nothing hinders cleaning more than clutter. When things are placed in the right place, it becomes almost impossible to clean effectively; no matter who is doing the cleaning. Before cleaning, it is important to ensure everything has a proper place. If it doesn’t, it will be time to consider doing away with it, or at best finding a home for it. You can’t expect a good learning outcome from your kids if there is no place to put things. Purchasing shelving or organizing cabinets can greatly help with the items you can’t discard.
If you follow these tips, you are guaranteed a more successful inclusion of your kids helping with chores. This will remove stress in the family and allow for some fun time.