Why Are You Doing That By Yourself?

“Clean up, clean up, everybody everywhere, clean up, clean up, everybody do their share.” If you listen to this song, it’s very clear about everyone doing their share, but does this really happen. My two year old loves to sing this song during our designated clean up times, but one thing that I noticed is that she was singing but no cleaning was happening! She was singing and enjoying watching everyone else clean up. Does this sound familiar mommas?

I was in the kitchen one morning, doing what we do (unloading and loading the dishwasher, sweeping, wiping down counters, etc.) and I had an epiphany, why am I doing this by myself? I have two little people who are very capable of “doing their share”. It was time to change some things. Do you have capable little people (or big people) in your home who should be doing more than they do? Well, let’s talk about it!

Plan

So this is going to take a little bit of work, strategy and time. Create a chart of chores you believe your children are capable of completing. Don’t try to make an exhaustive list, just start with a few chores and go from there. Here are a few ideas categorized by room (my focus is on the little ones but this can be adapted for older children):

• Kitchen

  • Putting away silverware (no knives)

  • Taking their plate to the sink

  • Wiping down the table

  • Picking up any food they spilled

  • Take the trash out

• Living room

  • Putting away toys

  • Vacuuming

  • Dusting

• Bedroom

  • Making their bed (assisting)

  • Putting away toys

  • Putting their clothes into the hamper

  • Vacuuming

  • Putting away their laundry

  • Taking their hamper to the laundry room

  • Lining up their shoes in the closet ( instead of them being thrown in like my kids love to do)

• Bathroom

  • Empty the trash

  • Bring rugs and towels to the laundry

  • Replace their toothbrush when it’s time

• Laundry room

  • Put laundry into the washing machine

  • Help transfer laundry to dryer

  • Transfer laundry to the laundry basket

  • Pull the laundry basket to the designated area

• Backyard

  • Put toys in the toy box

  • Line up cars and bikes

  • Pick up any trash

  • Sweep

Teach

Be patient! You are going to have to slow down and add time to your routine. Children take time to learn a new skill, including chores that should be easy but aren’t to a little one. When I was teaching my oldest to put the silverware away, I had to slow down and take time to teach him where everything went. Now he does it on his own, with my supervision and not instruction. That’s the goal!

Reward

This may not be for you and that’s okay. Sometimes children need some encouragement. This could be in the form of a weekly allowance (teaching them about working and payment), additional screen time or an ice cream treat. You may be off the belief system that everyone contributes to the home and that’s just a part of being a family. That’s okay too! You have the freedom to decide if this is something you want to do.

Encouragement

Our goal is to train our children to be fully functioning adults. The home is our training ground. Yes, you may teach them a task and have to go back and redo some things in the beginning. That’s okay, with your help they will learn how to complete their chores on their own and with minimal help. Children need to learn to contribute to the functioning of the home. It’s good for them and for you. Keep pressing forward and remember mommas, You Got This!

Chore Chart PDF.

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