You may have noticed on the chore chart I posted a few weeks ago that I have my preschoolers help out with laundry.
At this point, they can fold and put their clothes away in their drawers, although neither is done to perfection.
When I finally broke down and decided that I had to have some help with the care of my home and that I had three able-bodied little people around here that can help life got much less stressful.
But I did have to let go of a bit.
I had to let go of the desire to have everything done my way.
Yes, I like nice neatly folded clothes.
I like for things to be put away in their places neatly, too.
But, more than that, I like my sanity.
So, I decided to give up and let go of some of my too-high standards of perfection in order to accept the help that my three were willing to give.
Sometimes, I ask the girls to put away the clothes that I have already folded.
Sometimes, I have them help me fold an entire bed filled with several loads.
Other times, I just ask them to take a basket upstairs to their room or their brother’s room and fill it with clothes from the hamper and bring it back to the laundry room downstairs. (Being seven months pregnant, I try to avoid walking up and down the stairs as much as possible.)
And, of course, Will always wants to get in on the action and help as well.
Do you have your little ones help with the laundry in your home?
Have you had to compromise some of your standards to accept your children’s help around your home?
Linked to: Works for Me Wednesday at We Are THAT Family
Jenny says
Absolutely! Jamie puts laundry into the washer and then into the laundry basket afterwards (being in Korea, we either take it to post to dry or hang dry it). He is also the “keeper of the socks”…and sometimes underwear. I think it’s great to let kids help with laundry. It teaches responsibility, but it also teaches sorting skills (…and math and language, if you, like me, make your child count and describe everything 🙂
Muthering Heights says
My oldest daughter helps me put clothes in the washer, transfer them to the dryer, and remove them…and she helps me match socks and fold tea towels. But that’s about as far as she can go at this point! 🙂
.-= Muthering Heights´s last blog ..Hold Still… =-.
Christine (iDreamofClean) says
I love how you get the kids involved in cleaning! Even if you do have to give up some of your standards. I’m going to post soon about different ways kids can help clean so I may link to your post. Your post would work perfectly with my linky today 🙂
.-= Christine (iDreamofClean)´s last blog ..Real Clean Wednesday: Flipping a Mattress =-.
Erin @ Closing Time says
Oh, this is such a struggle for me! I have one who really wants to help, and the other one really doesn’t. Surprisingly, it’s E (the youngest) who is the little helper. She wants to fold everything, even the things that don’t need to be folded. Sometimes it seems like it takes longer when she helps, but I’m trying to be patient while she learns. In the long run it will make things much easier!
.-= Erin @ Closing Time´s last blog ..The Song Helper =-.
LifeAtTheCircus says
Yes, we have settled for not so organized drawers in our kids rooms as well. Kids do so love to help, I love your suggestions for getting them more involved!
.-= LifeAtTheCircus´s last blog ..Check Your Windows…I think pigs are flying =-.
Jessica says
I sure do! My 4yo is in charge of sorting the laundry and taking the laundry out of the dryer. She also puts all her clothes away…I don’t look in her drawers anymore because I would have to refold everything and I would rather her feel good about what she did than me stressing that they are not folded correctly. I have a great helper and yes, I’ve had to let go some of my OCDness
Stephanie says
Absolutely! And, yes, I have had to change me standards. I think the reward is worth it though when I see the pride on their faces, knowing that they have helped me keep the house running. This week has been an eye opener for them. it is Spring Break, and the first time that they have spent a concentrated amount of time in the house with me. They have been surprised at how much I do, and it has warmed my heart to have them WANT to help me.
Jordan says
7 months?! Wow, it’s gone by fast! I know that’s not at all what this post is about, but that really just jumped out at me!
Adorable pictures! The girls look like they’ve grown up so much since I last saw them in December!
.-= Jordan´s last blog ..First Time For Everything… =-.