More seasoned moms like to remind me that one day my boys will turn into great helpers around the house. This morning I decided I'd try an experiment. Who says that little boys can't dust? To little boys dust and dirt are COOL...So our discussion question for the week is...how do YOU get your kids to help out around the house?
2 comments:
I'm teaching John many routines. I use language that makes it sound like something is a universal law, like, "Shoes live in the shoe area!" (an area by the back door in the kitchen) instead of language that makes me the law-creator because then he rebels more. I'm teaching him to do things like put his shoes away as soon as we come inside, that outdoor toys live in the sun room, that he has to put away his matchbox cars. He loves helping me fold laundry: I get his help with my loads of rags, so he folds the wash cloths for me. This followed months of him ineffectually folding diapers and rags and socks with my praise and then secretly refolding them--but now he actually folds my wash cloths correctly! I'm teaching him to wipe his own hands and mouth with a wet wash cloth (but he's still ineffectual). He has to pick up and throw away food he purposefully throws on the floor. I bought him a little whisk and dust pan (and work apron), so sometimes he likes to sweep the floor. I let him use a spray bottle of water and a wash cloth to clean the windows. He checks the lint trap for me when I switch the laundry. Those are many of the things he does to help around the house. Keep in mind that he is still mainly ineffectual at most of them and this is just for learning. Plus if he is involved helping me, he's not off by himself getting into mischief!
Hi Rebecca, My daughter, Isabella is 22 months and she does great at setting the table for meals. I am only a first time mom, but so far, it seems that very simple direct tasks (Please put a fork on the table for Daddy) seem to work well. I also like to tell my husband what Isabella contributed to the meal prep (Isabella put the sunflower seeds on the salad) over dinner b/c then he asks her about it and she is happy to tell him! Recently, I have been trying to get in the habit of tidying up after an activity together with my daughter. She asks "Mommy do" and I just get down and say we do it together, which we do. I think that having to put too many things away feels overwhelming to them. Just some thoughts. Enjoying your blog. Visiting from CNML
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