When do you do chores?
I do most my chores (cleaning, grocery shopping, etc.) while the kids are away at school. There are a number of reasons why, but mostly for my own sanity. I like things done right. I like to start and finish without interruptions. I like shopping without kids. Those are just a few.
Both kids are away at school on Wednesdays, so I was able to get quite a lot done around the house today. However, as I was cleaning, it occurred to me that I might be doing a disservice to my kids by not allowing them to see me do most our housework. I worried that since the kids don't see me cleaning house very often, they might grow up thinking that I never cleaned. (Heaven forbid!) Then they might not learn to clean house themselves someday. Eeek!
Those thoughts were running through my head today when I went to pick up Hannah from preschool. That is when she handed me her craft for the day and said,
"Mom, you will never have to set the table again! I will do it from now on. Just tell me when it's dinnertime and I will set the table!"
SCORE! The kids usually help set the table at dinnertime, but usually under my close supervision. (i.e. - "Jonah you put the plates on the table, Hannah take the water glasses to the table...") Hannah pretty much offered to do it all from now on.
Then I looked at her craft.
It tells the story of the "Kingdom of Dinnertime." It is a cute little story of Princess Spoon and Prince Knife and the Evil Mr. Fork. It is an adorable story that helps kids remember how to set a proper table. I remember when Jonah learned about this a few years ago and he talked about it for weeks.
But look closely at the craft.
Oh snap! Do you notice something wrong? The knife, spoon and glass are supposed to be on the right and the fork on the left. At first, I worried that all my life I had been setting a table wrong. Nope. Not the case. Rather, this is a classic case of a little girl so excited about her "Kingdom of Dinnertime" that she failed to remember which side is right and which side is left. Classic. I might keep this craft forever.
Oh well. At least I'll never have to set another table at our house. But if you ever come over for dinner and notice table is set backwards, just smile and go with it.
If you have kids, when do you do chores? While the kids are away? While they nap? Once they go to bed? With your kids watching? Helping? If they help, do you follow behind them and re-do everything so it gets done right?
And while I am asking, do you have any tips teaching kids how to remember which is right and which is left? I might need that one soon.
4 comments:
I try to do it when they are awake, simply because there is nothing more soul crushing than putting kids to bed and cleaning!! We have just started giving Ranger "commissions" for picking up his room, feeding the fish, and making his bed. We long for the days when we can assign more chores!!
This is something we have really been working on because I have been getting quite overwhelmed trying to keep the house clean! At age 7, Mia sweeps the floor after dinner (and whenever else it needs it), can fold the laundry, cleans her room, puts away her clothes, helps straighten things up when I ask, and cleans the bathroom sink and mirror. At age
5, Caden wipes down the table after dinner, puts his clothes away, cleans up as needed, and cleans his room (it really helps if Ryan or I sit in there with him when he does it). At age 3, Alyssa makes giant messes and then cries for a really long time until she finally cleans it up. :) She is definitely the hardest, but we've gone through this with each of them and found that persistence really pays off! Overall, it is much more difficult to teach them how to clean, but you really do reap as they get older and can help. I also have to lose my perfectionistic tendencies when they do things. That's the hardest part for me!
When do I do chores?...hmm...I try not to usually...hmm...We've actually probably tried 50 different ways of doing it...from me doing everything while they play/nap to extensive chore charts and reward systems...neither of which worked the greatest. So, now we just kind of have a routine, I start laundry in the a.m., we clean up after meals together, and we pick up when the rooms are dirty. When people are coming over, we do crazy things like vacuum, dust, clean mirrors, etc. I recently read something that said that housework tends to expand to fit the time available. An interesting thought. I certainly don't want to fill all my free time with house work. So, I let things go that I can, do things I need to as quick as I can, and get the kids to do the rest!
I do chores whenever I can fit it in! If the kids are up then they get to help somewhat. As for teaching right and left I just try to say it every time I'm helping them get dressed, or putting on shoes, etc. Repetition does wonders! Also, you if she's having one of those "moments" and can't remember, have her hold up her thumb and pointer finger to form and "L". The left hand makes an L while the right hand makes a backward L. :)
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