Do your kids leave their toys everywhere? Does your husband change the topic when cleaning comes up?
Here are four easy ways to get your family to pitch in with chores around your NYC home.
Set Clear Expectations
If you want your family’s help with house chores, you need to set expectations first. Start by assigning the chores. Keep it simple for very young kids. They can put away their toys after playing, for example. Tweens and teens can do more, such as making simple meals. Check out this list of age appropriate chores for guidance.
Next, create a schedule for when things will get done. If your kids are in school, have them work on their chores in the evening. Get the whole family involved, too. If everyone does their chores at the same time, then no one will feel singled out.
Make sure to rotate chores. One night your daughter can set the table, while your son empties the dishwasher. Then switch things up the next night.
Is it your husband who you’d like to be more involved? Start by creating a list of everything that needs to be done around your apartment, then schedule a time to talk. Make sure it’s not during an important football game or favorite show! Show him what needs to be done, and ask him what he’d like to help with. Keep the conversation positive.
Image Source: Flickr/kizzzbeth
Show Them How
If your family has never helped out around the house, you’ll need to show them how it’s done. Instead of asking your husband to clean the bathroom, walk him through the process. Show him what cleaners to use and how to use them. Make a list of tasks.
If you want your kids to pick up their toys, show them where the toys go and help them do it. You may need to do this a few times, but eventually they’ll get it!
Finally, keep things reasonable! Between school and extracurricular activities, New York kids often have busy schedules. Make sure they have some downtime in their days.
Give Them an Incentive
Incentives are a great way to get your family to help with house chores. Start by creating a chore chart for your kids. Add a line for each task, as well as the time it needs to be done. Then, mark off the completed chores. Pinterest has lots of great chore charts if you need inspiration.
Once you’ve created the chore chart, add a reward for completing tasks. It could be as simple as reading an extra book at bedtime or 15 extra minutes on the Internet. Talk to your kids and ask them what they’d like.
Older kid’s chores can also be tied to an allowance. If they don’t complete their chores or you need to ask them multiple times to do something, then reduce the allowance.
Give Positive Feedback
Finally, give your family plenty of positive feedback. If you’re never happy with how they do something (and make sure to let them know), they won’t want to pitch in.
Instead, be happy for their help! Maybe your husband didn’t do the dishes the way you do, but at least the plates got cleaned! Your daughter might have a weird way of making the bed, but if you praise her effort, she’ll eventually get better. Let the little things go, and heap on the thanks instead.
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