Spring Clean Up, With the Kids!
April 7, 2008
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to our RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
This guest blog post was written by Sandra Jensen, married mother of four awesome boys and host of the Family Foodies Podcast at FamilyFoodies.com
Spring is just around the corner, and everybody likes to get outside. If you’re like me, when everything looks dirty, the list of yard chores seems overwhelming. But since kids like to play outdoors, and there are so many projects to do, why not include them? It will lighten your load, and give them a sense of belonging to the family. If you make it fun, they won’t even mind helping!
If you’re one of those parents who have long given up on trying to make your kids do chores simply because of their resistance, may I suggest you try a new strategy?
First of all, from the very first mention of the assignment, make sure they understand this is a family affair. Preteens and teenagers really resent feeling, as they put it, “used, like slaves.” If you’re out there working too, they understand they’re part of the project, not just slave labor.
Include them in on the planning. If you’ll be adding new trees, shrubs or planting flowers or vegetables, let them help you decide where things will go. Letting them feel some ownership will inspire them to shoulder the responsibility.
Plan a summer outing in your back yard. Talk about the people you’ll have over for picnics or games to give them the vision of why you want it to look nice.
Plan ahead which chores each child can handle, based on their ages and physical ability. I find that my kids accept directives better when I warn them ahead of time what will be expected of them.
If possible, let the kids chose which of their chores they will do first. Say something like, “Your job is to pick up all the sticks in the yard, and clean the leaves out of the window wells. Which would you like to do first?” They don’t have a choice whether or not to do the chores, but if you give them the freedom to choose the order in which they’ll do them, they feel (somewhat) ‘in charge.’
Try to make it fun! Put some music on; set the picnic table up with cold drinks and snacks for break time. Make a game of “discovering” lost toys, acorns or bird nests. If you’re really creative, you could set up a treasure hunt before hand!
Treat them each to their own brand-new pair of work gloves, each in a different color, or with their name on them. Wrap them up, and give them like gifts the night before!
Don’t try to tackle every job all in one day; spread it out a little. Set a time, for instance, “We’re going to work outside for 3 hours today, and three hours tomorrow.” Stick to it.
If you’re planting a garden, begin talking about who is going to plant (and own) what, in advance. If plants should be started indoors before springtime, get them excited about it. Kids love seeing seeds grow!
You might make a big deal about the improvements by taking “before and after” pictures.
You will all be proud of your accomplishments as you sit around together drinking lemonade in your (cleaned up) yard!
To learn more, check out the Mom’s Talk Guide to Organizing Your Life - Step-by-step guide to getting organized, increasing your free time and having way less stress.
Posted by Christina | Filed Under Parenting
Similar Posts
- Build Self-Esteem with These 10 Chores for Your Children
- Planting Your Summer Flower Garden For Living Color
- No-Cost Summer Activities: Enjoyment For The Whole Family
Comments
Got something to say?