With the warmer weather creeping up, the last thing your children probably want to do is pick up a broom or duster to begin cleaning! Getting your child to help out around the house can be a difficult task, but in addition to teaching them responsibility, it’ll help divide your chores up as well. Here are some tips on how you can get your children to help out with spring cleaning.
Simply ask them. Before trying out any of the tactics, just try asking them to help out and tell them how much it would be appreciated. Believe it or not, they may actually listen.
If you have younger children, make it a game. They can compete with you or their siblings. Games could include who cleans up the fastest or who throws the most socks into the drawer.
Treat them. Although you don’t and shouldn’t need to bribe your children to help with chores, a reward is always nice. Why not dedicate one day to cleaning the house, and the next day to an outing with the family? This way you’ll get a load off your shoulders and can spend down-time with your family as well. Your kids will also get more time with you – it’s a win-win!
Temporarily take away a belonging they love, such as a toy or their cellphone, until they clean up their mess. The longer they stall cleaning their bedroom, the more they’ll be sabotaging themselves. Now we aren’t asking you to be cruel to your child, we’re just helping you teach them to be responsible. If they made the mess, they should clean it up.
Turn it into a party! Turn the music up and play some cleaning games with them. Trust us, by the end of it, your child (and perhaps even you!) will forget you were completing a chore.
Remember, chores can be never-ending, so try to use it as bonding time!