Getting kids to clean the house can be quite a challenge as many of them will see it as either boring or some sort of punishment. But sometimes we need a little help around the house, and by getting our kids to help we can get the cleaning done and teach them important life lessons at the same time! So, how do you get them to help you clean willingly? Here are my 10 Tips for House Cleaning with Your Children!
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Cleaning can actually be pretty fun if you and your kids approach cleaning with the right mindset! At the very least, these tips should help make it so that helping clean isn’t something your kids dread, which makes it more likely they’ll clean up voluntarily when they’re older!
10 Tips for House Cleaning with Your Children
1. Give Them Directions
Don’t expect kids to understand what they should do. They can’t anticipate your needs or figure out best cleaning practices on their own, which is why you need to give them precise instructions. Ensure that you let them know exactly what you want them to do and how to do it. For instance, you can tell them to collect their toys or make their bed directly and they will do it. If it’s a new cleaning chore they haven’t done before, have them watch you do a bit of the task on your own before leaving them to clean lone.
2. Give Them a Checklist
If there are a number of places or cleaning tasks you want your kids to do, a checklist would come in handy if they are able to read. Show them how to check off items from this list as they accomplish them. An easy way to make that chore chart would be to get our printable kids chore chart! It comes in both blue and pink, and both are fun and colorful, making these perfect for kids!
3. Offer incentives
Incentives work with kids. However, do not bribe them as this might set precedence and they’ll only clean if they know they can get something in return. Instead, create situations to motivate them to clean. For instance, you can allow them to watch their favorite show after they have cleaned up. Instead of being a bribe, this is creating a positive habit where they tidy up before going to watch their show.
4. Get Them Involved
Make the kids part of the solution. For instance, ask them what they think of the dirt or disorganization in their room and what they can do about it. They will be glad to help if the pose the problem as an interesting challenge to solve.
5. Use Baskets for Easy Organization
Baskets are great at organizing stuff around the house. Use different baskets for different items and let your kids know about it. They should know which basket to throw their dirty clothing into, instead of leaving their clothes on the floor for you to clean after them. They should also have toy baskets, ideally with labels to help them remember which toy goes where. If used properly, baskets can really simplify cleaning and organization for your family!
Related: 10 Pretty Ways to Organize with Baskets
6. Encourage Them All the Way
Sometimes all the kids need is a little motivation and a chance to feel like they are really helping you out. The key to having a good experience house cleaning with your children is to appreciate their efforts no matter how small and keep cheering them on. This will give them the motivation to join the cleaning process again in future.
7. Make Cleaning Fun
Kids love games, so if you can make house cleaning with your children seem like a game, you will be able to get things done. You just need to find creative ways to do it! Maybe set a time challenge (not so short that it creates sloppy work, of course), or play fun music in the background. Be creative and both you and your kids will have a fun time!
8. Assign Chores According to Age
Do not give your kids tasks they cannot accomplish. This will only dampen their spirits and make them hate the cleaning process. Give them what they can easily accomplish and allow them to choose chores for themselves sometimes. WebMD has a nice list of chores for kids, broken up by age.
9. Get into the Right Cleaning Gear
Make cleaning time special by getting into the right cleaning clothes! When kids dress up for cleaning, their mindsets will switch to action mode.
10. Do not allow room for excuses
There is no reason why your kids should not help you clean in the house unless they are truly unable to do so. In most cases, they will fabricate an excuse just to be let off the hook. Be on the lookout for things like that, and put a stop to it at the start before it can become a bad habit.
House cleaning with your children doesn’t have to be a bad experience, for them or for you! Use these tips and soon you’ll by cleaning with your kids without any problems!
What did your parents do to get you to help clean?
You might also be interested in: 10 Free Printable Chore Charts for Kids
