A clear family chores schedule is essential to maintain order and to make sure that everything is clean. Start with an overall master chores list and then subdivide it into specific lists for each family member. That way, each member of the household is responsible for doing chores and there’s no one left over to complain about having to do housework. Here are some chores you can assign to your kids this Christmas.
Most parents get caught up in the holiday cheer and run out to buy Christmas presents when their children have little or nothing to do. Make this a short-term goal by putting aside time on Christmas day to prepare and clean the house. You can also use this time to talk to your children about the value of staying on top of their daily chores. A regular chore list will show them that you care about them and that you aren’t just sitting around waiting to be asked to help.
Most families do the weekly chores and cleaning tasks together. It doesn’t matter if you have two incomes or only one, making this a ritual that’s shared throughout the week will make it easier for everyone to follow. When you divide up the weekly chores, you’ll see that cleaning isn’t the most difficult task of all. In fact, many families say that they don’t even realize that they’re doing any chores at all.
The same principle applies to dishes. Have an individual lists of what needs to be done around the house so that there’s no confusion about what needs to be done when. For example, don’t put in the chore list for putting the tablecloth on the dinette set when you have dishes to be washed. As you put in the tasks for each dish, you’ll also cross-reference what needs to be done with what.
Another good way to motivate household chores and clean up is to learn skills for preparing meals. If you’re the only cook in the family, find ways to incorporate your family’s favourite dishes into your cooking. If everyone cooks learn how to make a meal that’s healthier and friendlier for everyone. That way you won’t feel so overwhelmed when the dishes are done and you can just relax and enjoy your evening.
As you stay on top of your daily chores like dishes, laundry, and hoovering, teach your kids the importance of keeping their homes clean and organized. They’ll learn that if they do their share of the chores and they don’t poop in the sink, someone is going to get hurt. This will also build their self-esteem as they learn new things for themselves and their friends. And that will strengthen the bonds between them and their parents.
Use an individualized household chore list. Make a master list of all of your household chores that need to be done each week. Make a second list of things that are more challenging than normal chores and put them on the individual lists. Don’t use these two lists at the same time. Separate the lists by week so you can see which ones are easier than others and make your weekly housekeeping more effective.
If you want your children to learn the value of putting away their dishes, make a daily or weekly chore list that includes putting away their plates, dishes, silverware, toys, and papers. For younger children, you might suggest putting away bath time and brushing their teeth, which they learn while doing their daily tasks. The idea is to take a little time out for learning and enjoying your household chores, while teaching them the value of putting away their own things.