I have mentioned several times in recent posts that the children help with the housework on an as-needed basis as well as having regular chores. Here are some of the things that they do:
F
- Collects the laundry and does most of the working of loading and unloading the washer and dryer. We have a front loading washer which makes this a little easier for him. I set the dials on both machines and put in the soap, but he does the rest. He occasionally needs some extra muscle if things have gotten tangled together.
- Clears the dishwasher. I keep a lot of things we use regularly down low. Recently I have been teaching him how to safely climb on the counter to put things into the upper cupboards. I do anything really fragile and all the sharp knives.
- Collects the trash cans and brings them to me to dump into a bag. Puts the trash cans away.
Su:
- Collects the tea cups, overnight water cups and W’s bottles and brings them down in the morning.
- Clears the clean silverware out of the dishwasher.
- Clears and wipes the table after breakfast.
I’ve been trying to have her regular jobs be things that help her learn to be observant. She has a hard time finding things, even if they are in clear view, so collecting the cups is actuall kind of difficult for her.
As- needed jobs include:
- Bringing in and putting away groceries
- Putting away laundry
- Cleaning up their own toys and W’s
- Fetching and carrying
I occasionally vary things or give them a “holiday” from a particular job for the day.? We work together in the morning and I try to be either in the room with them or very close by when they are doing chores.? Some days go much better than others, but I’m learning when to step in and help and when to simply encourage them to try again.