Terje Brooks Ellingsen
If you have children over the age of eight or nine years old,
here is a parenting tip on how you can get things done quicker
and easier with the help of your kids. It will cut your chores
in half and give your children the opportunity to learn how to
participate in the "daily shuffle" of things.
Help with Laundry
Laundry is a never-ending chore for Moms and Dads, so make it
easier on everyone (especially yourself) by setting some rules
on laundry. If it needs to be washed, the person that wears the
item brings it to the laundry, or it is not washed. If you need
something for the next day of school, don't wait until 8:00 at
night to ask someone to wash it, or you will be shown how to do
that for yourself. Kids Fold Towels, period. With all of the
laundry, ironing and everything else to do, this is an easy
chore they can do from an early age until they leave for
college.
Shopping for Grocery
Helping mom and dad with grocery shopping can be fun and
enjoyable for kids. Children are always quick to delegate orders
when Mom is on the way to the Grocery Store .Next time you are
headed out to the store, make it a family event. Evenly divide
the grocery list between everyone and just so time isn't wasted
at the Magazine stand, make it into a fun contest. For example,
whoever finishes finding their items last, cleans up the dishes
after the dinner meal.
Cleaning out the family vehicles
Car washing can become a task that no one wants to do, even Dad.
Since it isn't anyone's favorite pastime, have the entire family
roll up their sleeves for family fun. Mom and Dad, get ready,
it's sure to be a water fight! Make it fun but get it done!
Work in the Yard
Traditionally the yard is Dad's domain. It should not be his
responsibility only. It can easily be done if everyone pitches
in. Assign the younger children the task of picking up sticks or
trash from the lawn area before Dad begins to mow. All toys can
be moved aside by the people that use them!
Yard sale preparation
Do you plan for a year sale? If you've ever experienced having a
yard sale then you know the time and preparation in getting
things ready for the big day. Children can help price things for
the sale (they usually like that) and they can certainly go
through their things with you to see what to keep and what to
send out the door! Boys like to help Dad put out the yard sale
or garage sale signs, and they may even want to make their own!
Leveraging your effort is a nice and effective thing. The
chores will be cut in half if you let your children take some
responsibility by helping you accomplish things around the
house. The above list is only a suggestion, and you can add
things that you think your children might be able to help you
do. If you do not give your children an allowance, you should
consider doing so if they pitch in and help. If they already
receive an allowance, offer to reward them with a family night
out doing something everyone enjoys! Also, when you assign
chores, try to always make it a short and easy task. After all,
they are just children!
About the author:
Terje Brooks Ellingsen is a writer and internet
publisher. He runs the website 1st-Self_Improvement.
net. Terje is a Sociologist who enjoys contributing to the
personal growth and happiness of others. He tries to accomplish
this by writing about self improvement issues from his own
experience and knowledge. For example, ...more articles
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