Comments on Teach and Tickle: Chore Helpers

I do chores whenever I can fit it in! If the kids...

2009-11-17T16:32:10.591-06:00

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. :)

When do I do chores?...hmm...I try not to usually....

2009-11-15T22:20:32.166-06:00

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!

This is something we have really been working on b...

2009-11-13T15:29:00.629-06:00

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!

I try to do it when they are awake, simply because...

2009-11-12T21:30:30.110-06:00

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!!