Until I can make enough money on etsy to pay for a full-time, live-in maid, I’ve got to keep on top of cleaning myself. Fortunately, Tommy really is getting to the point where he can help with a lot of housework. I don’t really do any of the toy tidying anymore–before naps and bed, the kids put all their toys and books back where they belong. Elizabeth is finally catching on to this. Tommy has started vacuuming for me, and both kids love to swiffer mop. Sometimes while the girls are napping, Tommy and I will pull on old socks and clean the windows, too. Both kids can put their clothes away in the right drawers if I fold it into separate piles first. None of these things are as neat as I would do it, but it’s better than not being done at all. Whenever housework overwhelms me, I’m probably not utilizing my little helpers enough! John Rosemond talks about expecting kids to spend half an hour a day doing chores. (That could include getting dressed, making beds, picking up toys, clearing the table, etc.) That might strike some as a lot, but he points out that the average American child spends well over two hours a day in front of the TV! I remember Anna telling me a couple years ago that I was at the hardest point in terms of juggling small children, housework, cooking, and other chores–in time, it would get easier. When she talked about how helpful Carver and even Ellie were at that point, I felt like my kids would never get there–but they really are quite helpful now.
Fellow moms: What chores are your kids capable of doing? Have you incorporated a set chore time into your schedule? I know I could be more efficient at this if I planned better…
How wonderful! I love that Aidan is helping me with chores now. He routinely empties all of the waste baskets and fills them with new liners, he also makes his bed, picks up toys, helps match unmatching socks, and does other odds and ends for me! Praise God for helpful kiddos!
Leslie–I had not thought about having Tommy empty the waste baskets. Hmmm–we are going to try that today!
This is sooo encouraging to me. Thanks, Emily. I think I am at that “hardest point” right now and I am often overwhelmed and frustrated. Funny how shortsighted we are in the midst of life. Thanks!!!!
(And, the reality is, I need to be more willing to let him help, because let’s face it, I can get SO MUCH MORE done without his help right now!! :))
Kristen, I think you’re totally at that point–and yes, training him to help now take so much longer than doing it yourself.=) But he could totally dust or wipe windows with a sock over his hand and swiff–I think those are the main things Lizzie is doing right now. Right now, cleaning time counts as play time for all of us together, because the kids think it’s a game…I need to do it more often!
That assumes I dust or swiffer, right?! 🙂
hahaha