by Nikki Stoneroad

Created on: February 12, 2009   Last Updated: February 23, 2009

Small children are so easy to coerce into helping around the house. They are happy to please you. They also gain a sense of accomplishment. They become seized with pride when all their hard work is recognized by you.

One of my favorite games consisted of a few kids, lonely socks, and the intent to dust. Equip your little ones with all those single and mismatched socks whose partner never survived the tornado of laundry day. You will be sadly missed. It is ok, because we have a much higher calling for these lonely ones. Line the kiddies up in one room. Explain the game rules: what to dust, where, and how much time they have to complete the task. Think Survivor: The children's edition. Everyone places their sock covered hand down on the same table and wait anxiously as the Announcer calls out: Ready, set, GO! As the timer ticks down kids scramble to beat the race of time. And you get to enjoy the show. It is one of the rare moments when no one is trying to strangle the other one. Have yourself a nice cup of coffee.

Children do not respond to: Go clean your room. They cannot formulate a plan of action in their own heads. They need a more definitive course. Try: Pick up your toys and put them in your toybox, put your dirty clothes in the hamper, make your bed, and vacuum. A great mom helper is for you to photograph your child doing each step and then post the photos in order on a corkboard in their room. They will have a visual reminder to keep them on track.

Tackle a room as a family. Crank up the stereo with heart pumping tunes. Give each person a specific task. Dancing and singing will not only burn calories, but the room will be clean in no time because no one will be paying attention to the time. Caution: Winding your kids up and letting loose will make calming the brood down difficult. Send them outside afterwards for some free play. Feel free to join them.

I have also created the Kitchen Helper. A calendar is hung on the refrigerator with a schedule alternating amongst the kids. A Kitchen Helper gets to spend one on one time with mom in the kitchen. We cook together while talking about our day. The Kitchen Helper also gets to set the table, and also helps with cleanup and dishes. A sense of pride is instilled in them when the family sits down to eat the meal that they helped to prepare.

I hope these tips will get you excited about cleaning with your kids. Happy cleaning!

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