When you are a mother who simultaneously works and takes care of the household, you need all the help you can get. Thankfully you can find some help in your little ones, who are always willing to help their loving mother and also feel trusted, especially when they do “grown-up” tasks!
Their contribution to the household chores will positively enhance their character and teach them to be responsible as they are growing up.
It goes without saying that not all the housework is suitable for children. There is, however, a lot they can do without getting tired, which at the same time will save you a lot of time.
Here’s what you can do.
Don’t stress it
It is important to accept that whatever job you assign to your child it will not be delivered perfectly, nor should your child feel pressure and become anxious so that the end result will look like yours. So, assign tasks that are fine not to be performed perfectly.
Gradually, and having learned the basics of a specific task and are enjoying it, you can teach them how to do it better and better.
Show them Trust
Remember that children are far cleverer than what we think: they know for instance that dirty clothes need to be placed in the laundry basket, that their toys need to be stored or that their bed needs to be made.
In the following table you can see what tasks you could assign to them depending on their age:
| Age | Tasks |
| 2-3 | Storing their games and books, pet care (e.g. feeding), placement of dirty clothes in the laundry basket, dusting |
| 4-5 | Making their bed, cleaning the table, watering the plants |
| 6-7 | Sweeping, setting the table, room arrangement |
| 8-9 | Food arrangement, wiping, cooking help, clothes washing, button sewing, breakfast preparation |
| 10+ | Cleaning their room and the kitchen, bath and car cleaning, cooking training, looking over their smaller siblings, hanging clean clothes for drying |
Give them Courage
Do not forget to praise them. Do not scold them when they make mistakes. Make the whole process look like a game while letting them also know the importance of doing a given task. If you see them trying in a given task, encourage them to continue.
Develop a Schedule
Make a chart and note the tasks that each member of the family has to do. Ask the child to choose the things that seem more fun to them. Note also in the table the deadline of each task.
Give exact instructions
The younger the child, the more exact and clear your instructions should be. Instead of saying: “Set the table”, ask them to lay the tablecloth, set the dishes and glasses and put cutlery next to each dinnerware.
Teach them to be responsible for their personal space
The child who loves their room, will be happy to keep it organized and clean. Any child needs to learn that if they do not learn how to keep their room tidy then no one will do it for them. In this way you inspire responsibility in them.
You know, the more attractive their bedroom is to them, the more they will love and take care of it! Really, have you seen LIFETIMEKidrooms’s latest collection of children’s rooms? Just click here!
Your children love you· teach them to love work and to respect your own efforts, helping to do your household chores. They can benefit lots from it.
