Family Cleaning List
Vacuuming is therapeutic. I push the vacuum back and forth, back and forth, finding such pleasure in the straight, clean lines of carpet left in my wake. And when the whole room is finished, a beautiful pattern covers the floor. Evidence of something accomplished, complete.
Candles lit and windows open, there is no better smell in the world than a clean house. The bedroom fans usher in fresh air and a fresh week ahead. Anything feels possible when the house is clean.
For once in the entire week, laundry baskets are empty. Ah, the feeling of empty laundry baskets. All the clothes hung and closed behind closet doors. It's as if I'm closing the doors on my own mental clutter as well.
For a few minutes at least, I will find no Nerf bullets hiding around every corner, I will step on no Lego body parts or trip over dollie accessories. My house will be picture perfect.
But when I begin to see those well loved toys scattered across the house again, I will be grateful because it means that children live here, in this home. My three, beautiful children. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
Weekend FAMILY Cleaning List:
Friday Afternoon:
• Kids gather and sort the laundry. We start washing and don't stop until it's all done. . . Most likely, sometime tomorrow.
• The vacuum monster comes out! Children scramble to and fro, cleaning up precious items before they get eaten.
• Dust surfaces and clean bedroom mirrors.
• Water the plants.
Saturday Morning:
• Kitchen and Dining: clear the surfaces, wipe the surfaces, sweep and mop.
• Wipe the appliances and the windows.
• Hall Bathroom: spray cleaner on the bath, clean the mirror, counter, floor and toilet, wipe and rinse the tub, empty the trash, all towels in the dirty basket.
• Master Bath: same treatment as above. And as an added bonus, when I clean my shower, I get to clean myself as well.
"Starting at a very early age, children are learning—and practicing—their place in the family. By including a toddler in a task, the parent is, in effect, telling the child, “You are a working member of the family who helps and contributes however they can.”Psychologists believe that the more a young child practices helping the family, even starting as a toddler, the more likely they will grow up to be a helpful teenager for whom chores are natural. Early involvement in chores sets the child on a trajectory that leads them to helping voluntarily later in life. It transforms their role in both the family and community. They become a responsible, contributing member.On the flip side, if you constantly discourage a child from helping, they believe they have a different role in the family. Their role is to play or move out of the way. Another way to put it: If you tell a child enough times, “No, you’re not involved in this chore,” eventually the child will believe you and will stop wanting to help. Children will come to learn that helping is not their responsibility."
