Spring is time to sweep away winter and welcome in warm breezes.
While many parents find it easier to tackle jobs alone, spring cleaning is a ritual in which children -- even the youngest ones -- should be included.
Children who are age two to five can help by picking up their toys and putting them away.
Spring is a great time to sort through toys and books and decide which ones can be donated.
If your child has separation anxiety about their belongings you may save this job for nap time or reward their generosity by giving them "big boy" or "big girl" replacements.
They can also help by trying on summer clothes and donating items that are too small.
Children this age are also great dusters.
Remember, you're not looking for perfection, just participation! Show them how to sort items for recycling, such as newspapers, cardboard, plastic and aluminum, and create a designated recycling center in your home to make this job easy.
They can also clear their own plates from the table and put them by the sink.
Children age six to 10 can help by wiping cabinet fronts, emptying trash cans, folding and putting away laundry or cleaning sinks.
These children can feed the pet, help prepare meals, set or clear the table and empty the dishwasher.
Older children can also help younger siblings with their jobs.
This will allow them to be a leader as well as establish a feeling of teamwork in your home.
When children reach age 11 to 16, they're ready to vacuum, mop or even scrub the toilets (sometimes the "nastier" the job, the more appealing it can be!) This age can also walk pets, prepare meals, load the dishwasher, wash clothes and even do some ironing.
Remember don't assume that because they've seen you do these jobs, they know what to do -- and what not to do.
Be sure to give them a lesson in how to work the dishwasher -- and which detergent to use.
You may have to show children more than once and it wouldn't hurt to post a quick reference guide where they can get answers quickly.
Children in middle school and early high school should be encouraged to do jobs around the neighborhood, as well.
These kids make great babysitters, lawn mowers or dog walkers.
The teenage years are often when kids take their first job in the "real world.
" But that shouldn't mean they stop participating in the family chores.
Older children can help with big jobs such as rolling up rugs to bring outside, filing away papers that have accumulated on kitchen counters, taking clothing to the dry cleaners or bringing donated items to Goodwill or the Salvation Army.
If they are good drivers, they should also be called upon to bring younger siblings to sports practices or home from school.
Remember the satisfaction you get when you check an item off of your To Do list.
Give kids that same feeling by creating a To Do list of their own.
Whether you get a sturdy chore chart or simply print off a list of jobs from your computer, your children will feel a sense of accomplishment as they complete their tasks.
Children should participate in routine cleaning because they are part of the family.
But other jobs are best rewarded with an allowance.
Only you can decide an appropriate amount.
You can also reward jobs well done with a special treat, such as later bedtime, favorite dessert or an outing.
Chuck E.
Cheese offers a printable clean room chart at their web site, www.
chuckecheese.
com In true mouse marketing fashion, they offer 10 free tokens for kids who bring in signed sheets.
Set a routine and stick to it.
And make it fun.
If you bark orders, you teach children that housekeeping is a punishment.
If you talk about how much you hate cleaning, your children will hate cleaning, too.
Instead, use chores as a team-building tool and remind your family members that they're all part of the clean team.
Set a timer and challenge your family to beat the clock.
Create a light atmosphere by making chores into a game.
It's important to teach children that every member of the family must help.
While it's sometimes easier to just do it yourself, remember that you are teaching your children skills they'll need when they're adults.
While many parents find it easier to tackle jobs alone, spring cleaning is a ritual in which children -- even the youngest ones -- should be included.
Children who are age two to five can help by picking up their toys and putting them away.
Spring is a great time to sort through toys and books and decide which ones can be donated.
If your child has separation anxiety about their belongings you may save this job for nap time or reward their generosity by giving them "big boy" or "big girl" replacements.
They can also help by trying on summer clothes and donating items that are too small.
Children this age are also great dusters.
Remember, you're not looking for perfection, just participation! Show them how to sort items for recycling, such as newspapers, cardboard, plastic and aluminum, and create a designated recycling center in your home to make this job easy.
They can also clear their own plates from the table and put them by the sink.
Children age six to 10 can help by wiping cabinet fronts, emptying trash cans, folding and putting away laundry or cleaning sinks.
These children can feed the pet, help prepare meals, set or clear the table and empty the dishwasher.
Older children can also help younger siblings with their jobs.
This will allow them to be a leader as well as establish a feeling of teamwork in your home.
When children reach age 11 to 16, they're ready to vacuum, mop or even scrub the toilets (sometimes the "nastier" the job, the more appealing it can be!) This age can also walk pets, prepare meals, load the dishwasher, wash clothes and even do some ironing.
Remember don't assume that because they've seen you do these jobs, they know what to do -- and what not to do.
Be sure to give them a lesson in how to work the dishwasher -- and which detergent to use.
You may have to show children more than once and it wouldn't hurt to post a quick reference guide where they can get answers quickly.
Children in middle school and early high school should be encouraged to do jobs around the neighborhood, as well.
These kids make great babysitters, lawn mowers or dog walkers.
The teenage years are often when kids take their first job in the "real world.
" But that shouldn't mean they stop participating in the family chores.
Older children can help with big jobs such as rolling up rugs to bring outside, filing away papers that have accumulated on kitchen counters, taking clothing to the dry cleaners or bringing donated items to Goodwill or the Salvation Army.
If they are good drivers, they should also be called upon to bring younger siblings to sports practices or home from school.
Remember the satisfaction you get when you check an item off of your To Do list.
Give kids that same feeling by creating a To Do list of their own.
Whether you get a sturdy chore chart or simply print off a list of jobs from your computer, your children will feel a sense of accomplishment as they complete their tasks.
Children should participate in routine cleaning because they are part of the family.
But other jobs are best rewarded with an allowance.
Only you can decide an appropriate amount.
You can also reward jobs well done with a special treat, such as later bedtime, favorite dessert or an outing.
Chuck E.
Cheese offers a printable clean room chart at their web site, www.
chuckecheese.
com In true mouse marketing fashion, they offer 10 free tokens for kids who bring in signed sheets.
Set a routine and stick to it.
And make it fun.
If you bark orders, you teach children that housekeeping is a punishment.
If you talk about how much you hate cleaning, your children will hate cleaning, too.
Instead, use chores as a team-building tool and remind your family members that they're all part of the clean team.
Set a timer and challenge your family to beat the clock.
Create a light atmosphere by making chores into a game.
It's important to teach children that every member of the family must help.
While it's sometimes easier to just do it yourself, remember that you are teaching your children skills they'll need when they're adults.
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