Tuesday, July 30, 2019

By Barbara Pronin Summer is a wonderful time to make family memories, but having the kids home all day can result in a whirlwind of clutter. If your home-bound kids are wreaking havoc on your surroundings, try these tips from Daily Parent.com for keeping your house neat and clean and involving your kids in the process: 

Get everyone on board. Involve the whole family in your housekeeping projects. Explain to the kids that their help is not optional; that anyone who lives in a home should participate in maintaining it. Assign age-appropriate tasks to each member of the family. Even a toddler can put clothes in a hamper or put toys away in a basket. 

Set clear expectations. “Posting a chore chart with each child’s name and chores to do in the week ahead is the simplest way to set clear expectations for each child,” says Tara Aronson, author of “Mrs. Clean Jean’s Housekeeping with Kids.” “Be sure to explain exactly what’s expected when kids are tasked with, say, cleaning the bathroom. Avoid misunderstandings by showing them how to clean the sink, polish the mirror, clean the tub, etc., and demonstrating your expected result.” 

Reap the rewards. By involving your children in your summer housekeeping routine, you not only reap the benefits of a tidy home, but you also teach your children important life skills that will serve them well in the future. “Chores give children a sense of responsibility that follows through into other areas of their lives, especially school,” Aronson says. “If kids don’t keep up with their belongings at home, they won’t be responsible for them at school, either.” Praise your child when he or she completes a task, and consider a reward for a job well done. “Little ones can be motivated in a big way with stickers and stamps that are placed on the chore chart you created,” says Aronson. You can also reward kids with fun experiences, such as lunch at their favorite eatery, an hour of extra TV time, a new book from the local bookstore, or something else you know they want.

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