Yes, I still need to get my dishes done. Don't judge.
I was reading a friend's blog which had a link to another blog, and then I was reading another friend's blog which had another link to a blog... The connective thread among all of these was chores, specifically cleaning. I kept finding more information about how much your children should be helping out at home. Due in part to these blogs, and I promise NOT my laziness, I've come to the realization that I haven't been encouraging my kids to help out enough around the house.
I usually save up a lot of the cleaning to do while the kids nap (it's nearly impossible to get the dishwasher loaded/unloaded while Elliot grabs stuff out of it or tries to climb in!) or after they go to bed for the night. Big surprise! Mommy doesn't get much sleep or quiet time in that way, and is exhausted all the time.
So, starting tomorrow, I'll print off one of the chore charts I found online (well, talk to Phil about it first to see how he feels, and then proceed accordingly) and the boys can start helping out around the house doing things they should probably be doing anyways and possibly earning a teeny bit of allowance while they're at it.
I in no way consider myself a clean freak or maybe not even a neat person, but when I do clean, I like things done in a particular way, so it will also be an exercise for me to let go, and just let things get done.
What are your thoughts on chores and the division of labour?
I think I'm in the same boat as you are! Naptime used to be for everybody sleeping..but now I clean! Olivia is almost 3, so she doesn't do much...she makes her bed (kinda) everday and has to pick up her room and the living room before naptime and bedtime. I think the chore chart idea is great...Olivia loves getting stickers and keeping track of all of her stickers.
ReplyDeleteFor me...I use the printable forms from this website: http://moneysavingmom.com/downloads/household-management-forms
I really like her cleaning list...I just added some things and crossed off others...helps me a lot and I use it almost every day!
Good Luck! :)
I hear you!! The charts are a great idea! It really is alot of work teaching kids how to keep things up..I'm still working with the kids. It is not easy. Make it a sort of fun game while they are little. When mine were little after I folded all the laundry we would have a racing game. I would have a stop watch and bring each child in one at a time. I would hand them a pile of folded shirts and we would time how fast they could put them in their drawers. When they got back we would see if they could put their pants away faster...OMGoodness they loved that!
ReplyDeleteI also just came upon a cute chore craft..I'll post it on facebook.
Thanks for the links, ladies :)
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