If you’re like most Americans, you’re about ready to pull your hair out after being locked in your house with your significant other, pets, and kids for more than a month. Even if you’re isolating and keeping your distance, you still have each other to contend with. And you’re still having to clean up after yourselves—maybe even more so with everyone home! Getting kids to clean up can be a challenge anytime, but when your nerves are frayed…well, we’re sure you’ve had your share of battles.
Today, then, we’re going to provide 3 tips to help you inspire the kids to clean up their messes and even do some chores!
1. Keep the Fun Level High
Everyone likes to have fun, right? Whether your kids are toddlers, school aged, or teens, they want to enjoy themselves. No doubt they’re thrilled that the end of the school year (and this wild homeschooling stuff) is fast approaching. But they’re probably just as tired of not seeing friends and extended family as you are. They want to do something fun.
Can getting kids to clean be fun?
It definitely can—if you have the right mindset.
For younger kids, turn cleaning into a game: “How many toys can you put away while this song is on?”
With school-aged kids, who want to be helpful, learning is often part of the equation. You can win by tapping into their need for logic and order: “How long do you think it would take to vacuum the whole house? If you did upstairs and your brother did downstairs, who would win?”
And with teens, who can offer a little more resistance, treat them as if they’re already on it. While they might not think of cleaning as “fun,” they will appreciate the autonomy: “You are such a smart kid; I bet you’re already thinking about when you’re going to clean up the dog poop in the backyard. What’s your plan?”
2. Create a Schedule
Kids of all ages respond well to schedules and expectations. Grab a white board, chalk board, or even a piece of paper and create a schedule of when and what the kids have to do. Getting kids to clean can be as simple as getting them engaged in the idea. Remember, whether you have a two-year-old or high-school senior, they should feel as if they’re contributing to the family. When you build a schedule that gives everyone tasks, they will.
3. Offer Praise and Recognition
Young people are people, and people like to be recognized for their hard work. Whether you give gold stars for a job well done or just call out a child at the dinner table for taking initiative, it all works. If your goal is getting kids to clean, you’ll get much further with honey than vinegar, as the saying goes. Offer gratitude, praise, and public recognition of their efforts—even if they’re not quite the level you might like.
Getting Kids to Clean Is Good, but You Still Need a Maid Service
Unless you’re considering the little people in your house to be your indentured servants, expecting them to clean the house top to bottom is probably a little far fetched. After all, most adults don’t even do a great job cleaning behind every nook and cranny. It’s therefore too much to think your kids will. Even with praise, and schedule, and fun games, getting kids to clean everything likely isn’t realistic. And cabin fever isn’t helping.
That’s why you need a maid service.
Carnation Home Cleaning takes over where you and your family fall short. Plus, in light of COVID-19, we even offer Fresh Start to ensure your home is sanitized and disinfected.
And think of it this way: Telling the kids the maid is on the way is a great incentive for them to pick up all of their stuff.
Contact us to learn more.
