Keeping a clean house when that house contains a few kids is an ongoing struggle that would make Sisyphus shake his head in disbelief. The cycle of picking up, wiping clean, straightening and vacuuming can be a vicious one with no end in sight. Harnessing the power of the kids to help out can be difficult at best. Here is one method that is organized, thorough, and effective.
It is no secret that keeping a consistently clean house takes discipline and organization. And, if you believe the current literature, young kids crave structure and boundaries. If that is true then this home cleaning system by KidSpace Stuff is a match made in heaven. Comprised of a name board with hooks on the bottom and color-coded chore cards which are hung on the hooks, it divvies up the many tasks involved in regular housecleaning and apportions them out equally.
The fact that chores are divided into four categories--daily, weekly, monthly and semi-annually--is a great way to both prioritize and ensure that everything gets done as needed.
This ultra-organized system may not work for every family, but if you think it might work for yours, why not give it a shot? The result will be a cleaner house with less housework falling on your shoulders. Sisyphus would be proud.
• See more: KidSpace Stuff
(Images: KidSpace Stuff)
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moving in with my boyfriend and i'm super tempted to make one of these for us. he might not be too happy about it though - especially since i'd probably super glue "take out the trash" to his name.
Glad to know my boyfriend isn't the only one who forgets to take out the trash! thinking about super-gluing that to his head! hahah
put your shoulder to the wheel is a line from a mormon hymn...takes me back to my childhood...and the job charts my mother ruled the house with.
Wow. I don't get the need for gimmicks like this, maybe because I never had kids.
When I WAS a kid, though, it was quite clear. You put your stuff away or Mom had the prerogative of getting rid of it. (Losing favored toys or books to Goodwill or neighbor kids -- or the trash -- is a big incentive!) I did the dishes. My brother mowed the lawn. We had assignments, and we did them, no arguments, no lagging, minimal reminders.
We have had great success in our family at periodic "Blitz Cleans". Pick out 15-20 minutes worth of music (about 5 songs) and everybody picks up, puts away & cleans as fast as they can.
As the last song plays, everybody finishes up - and then usually (not always) we order pizza.
You will be shocked - shocked I tell you - at how much is accomplished by 15 - 20 minutes of everybody in the family moving as fast as they can to tidy up and put away.
^ Forgot to add we don't do bedrooms at this time, just bathrooms, kitchen, front hall - rooms which all the family uses.