Comments on: Practical Ways to Include Kids in the Household Upkeep

By: Kelly

Kelly — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 21:42:44 +0000

This has been a fantastic challenge! It was fun to share with mom friends (around the world) and marvel how much kids love cutting stuff. Really, really love it. My kids bring their kid-friendly slicing knives to the table every night (and request a cutting board). Not exactly the intended outcome, but all buy-in at dinner time is a good thing.

I really loved how you coined concept “The Upkeep.” I’d been looking for a word for all of this and you’ve nailed it! This challenge has actually reduced the tantrums around clean-up for my 6 year old. Previously I heard a lot of “but I have to do EVERYthing (slumped shoulders)” when I asked for things to be put back or away. This go-round, the 3 year old cried once because his sister was so much more proficient at putting her clothes away (my ideal form of sibling rivalry).

My only ‘fantasy tweak’ would be that each theme lasted for 2 weeks, as sometimes it took a day or two for me to hit my stride with the ‘new area of the day.’

By: Jen C

Jen C — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 23:29:06 +0000

My kids have surprisingly been enjoying helping out this month! My 7 year old keeps asking what “week” it is! She and her 4 year old brother have particularly loved vacuuming up the “crumbinals” into crumb jail, and we having been playing “the floor is lava” for toys! Save them before they burn!! Muah-ha-ha!

By: Kristen M

Kristen M — Sat, 23 Jan 2021 23:32:14 +0000

For laundry, I have my boys help move the wet clothes into the dryer. They like to be the “bulldozer” and push it in. Once things are dry, they collect the socks and underwear from the dryer. Those things don’t need folding! They are capable of making sock matches, and it becomes a competition to see who can get more. They also help with collecting the laundry from the hamper into the baskets.

This challenge has been really fun in my house, and reinforced many of the small things we do each day. I love it!

By: Brit

Brit — Fri, 22 Jan 2021 00:03:51 +0000

In reply to Rebecca Vonderharr. Yes! This is amazing!! The toddler age may seem early but it's the sweet spot :)

By: Rebecca Vonderharr

Rebecca Vonderharr — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 19:35:10 +0000

I wanted to tell you that I started having my 2 year old wipe her high chair tray and herself after meals and I had her wipe up her spills a few times. This morning she spilled some milk on the floor and marched over to the sink and asked for her washcloth, walked over and wiped up the spill herself. I didn’t ask her to! Amazing!

By: Susan

Susan — Mon, 04 Jan 2021 04:05:13 +0000

Love this- so many great ideas to get my 2 1/2-year-old more involved!