Getting Kids to Keep Chores Up During March Break

Making My Bed

If you’re sticking around during March Break, you know you’ll need to keep kids busy and also keep your house clean!

 

Just because it’s March Break doesn’t mean you have forego all the chores. Giving kids some things they fit into ‘play’ time and other time, is key.

  1. Clean what can’t be seen. Get kids to help clean inside their favourite kitchen cupboards. You know the ones with the all the ‘goodies’. Spring cleaning is the time to clean those more unusual places that accumulate grime throughout the year.
  2. Swap out seasonal clothing. Put away winter clothes (being sure to give them a good wash beforehand) and bring out the warm weather gear.  When kids are done, moms you can take over and give summer clothes coming out of storage a refresh with Febreze Allergen Reducer cleaning
  3. While kids do their bit, moms clear out the Dirt and Dust. Target the grooves of the baseboards and cupboards, under the bed or sofa, and on top of shelves and cabinets. Try Swiffer Sweeper and or the Duster perfect for this!
  4. You Find it, You Keep it. And hey if your spouse has a habit of leaving loose change on counters and dresser tops, just ask kids to scoop the loot into a little piggbank (a piggy bank for all) and split the loot between kids at the end! Who says cleaning doesn’t pay?

Here are tips for every child’s age to get you started!

Ages 2 to 4

Toddlers are your little helpers, always eager to lend a hand. Although their technique may not be as perfect as you’d like, kiddies from two and four years old are at a prime age for learning the importance of cleaning. Introduce your little ones to household chores by letting them shadow you and by turning certain tasks into games. Search for treasures while pulling out spring clothes or set a timer to see if they can break the world record for fastest bed making. By adding an element of fun, kids will learn that cleaning is not such an ordeal.

Age appropriate chores:

  • Help make the bed
  • Clean up books and toys after playtime or before parents vacuum
  • Wipe up spills and messes

Ages 5 to 7

Preschoolers are at an age where they love to spend one on one time with parents, creating the perfect opportunity to tutor kiddies on cleaning techniques. Take your little one aside and show them the best way to help mommy or daddy dust or sweep and introduce easy-to-use products like the Swiffer Sweeper – there are no motors involved, so parents don’t need to worry and the kids will definitely find it fun!

sweeping

Need extra motivation? Test out a reward system such as a sticker chart. Give kiddies a sticker for each chore and build up to bigger rewards. Once the cleaning is done you can also reward yourself for your efforts by spending Sunday outside as a family or watching a film for downtime.

Age appropriate chores:

  • Dusting.  Although under four feet tall, your preschooler can get hard to reach areas with the Swiffer 360 duster extender.
  • Help put away groceries
  • Clear and set the dinner table

Ages 9 to12

Pre-teens strive to be independent. Guide your children towards self-sufficiency by tracking their tasks in a chore chart and rewarding them for their efforts by driving them to the mall or offering more screen time. This will definitely motivate your kids to keep working!

Girl with a yellow scarf on hair washing the window

To make the experience more fun, suggest that your pre-teen cleans while listening to their favourite tunes. Also, find out what they like doing and what they hate. Many kids actually like cleaning the floors or wiping down glass. Let them pick the chore they love and can own on an ongoing basis.

Additionally, your kids are now at an age that you can trust them with handling cleaning products. Test out the Mr. Clean Liquid Muscle which has an auto stop cap, pouring just the right amount so less is wasted. Perfect for a nine-year-old interacting with cleaning products for the first time! Cleaning

Age appropriate chores:

  • Wash the car
  • Refresh furniture and summer items with Febreze Allergen Reducer
  • Help prepare easy to make meals
  • Assist with laundry duties

Ages 13+

After 13, your teenager should be capable of handling any cleaning task as long as you’ve instilled the importance of regular household chores. One thing parents need to keep in mind, however, is that teens often have a very busy schedule with school, extracurricular activities and (of course) their social life – all of which can often feel quite overwhelming. Make sure to keep up to date on what’s happening in their life each week and adjust chores according to exam days or big games. This way your teenager will not begin to resent cleaning – they’ll actually appreciate that you took the extra time to accommodate.

Disclosure: I am a #PGmom. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and special access to P&G events and opportunities. Opinions in this story are my own.


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