Sometimes motivating your kids to help with chores around the house can be nearly impossible. While it does take a little bit of time investment and patience to teach your kids the ins and outs of cleaning, it is important to teach them how to clean up after themselves and to lend a helping hand to household duties. This is a helpful life skill to have as they get older and these tips can help with ways to get your kids to help.
Tip #1: Make a list.
The first step to starting on any project is to have an idea on what needs to be completed. So, work with your kids to make a checklist of things that they can refer to, naming the most important things first. Keep in mind what things they can do easily such as empty garbage cans around the house, making the bed, dusting bookshelves and countertops, or picking up toys in their room. Once they get a routine down, you can work on introducing more to-dos later down the road.
Tip #2: Make it fun.
Cleaning can be time consuming and if your kids are impatient or have short attention spans, try to make things fun while you’re working. How? Turn up the music and after you finish a checklist item, have a family dance party for a few minutes or give them a treat. Find ways to encourage your kids and provide positive feedback so they can stay motivated and finish the tasks.
Tip #3: Show them you’re their partner.
A child is less likely to stay on task if he/she is sent to his room alone to tackle a big cleanup. Instead, work alongside your child and make it a time of bonding and catching up. If your kids know that they are their partner and they hear positive reinforcement along the way, they will likely be more motivated to continue helping.
If you have domestic staffing working in your home, either live-in or live-out, getting your kids to help clean will make their lives easier too and will show that you appreciate them enough to keep things kept up. If you don’t have help around the house in the form of an experienced housekeeper, personal chef, or estate manager, our qualified team of professionals at Household Staffing is standing by to help with placement!
