Getting Your Kids To Help

Small things can make a huge difference around your house and getting your children to help with the small jobs so you can tackle the harder ones is not as difficult as it sounds.

First thing you need to do is make it fun. Put on some music and teach your child to dance while they work. It's great exercise and the time will fly by.

Make it easy. This sounds a lot easier than it actually is. But get cleaning wipes for them, rather than having them try to wet, wring and rinse a rag.
Use a Swiffer with moping cloths instead of having them handle a real mop.

Find small chores that don't take any more than 5 minutes. Have them vacuum the stairs or fold the couch blanket. Then let them play for awhile before requesting something else.

Here are some easy chores that any walking child can accomplish:

• Wipe down doorknobs and light switches.
• Mop the floor with a Swiffer.
• Wash a window
• Rinse dishes. (I would not have them load the dishwasher until they are older)
• Wipe out the sink.
• Wipe a wall (most of the dirty finger prints will be at their level anyway.)
• Sweep a floor. (with a small hand held broom and dust pan, almost any child can do this once they have been shown how.)
• Vacuum anything. Kids love to vacuum especially if they can use the hose. I have my littlest ones vacuum the stairs with the hand held Dirt Devil and the edges of the hallway with the hose.They love it!
• Folding blankets and towels is a great chore for little ones if you are not too picky.
• Taking out the trash, if they can reach the big can.
  

Hopefully this gives you some ideas to get your little ones involved in cleaning early on. This will avoid lot of future struggles! Happy Day!