Parenting Tip - How to Use Your Children to Get Things Done

If you have children over the age of eight or nine years old, here is a parenting tip on how you can get things done quicker and easier with the help of your kids. It will cut your chores in half and give your children the opportunity to learn how to participate in the “daily shuffle” of things.nnHelp with Laundry nnLaundry is a never-ending chore for Moms and Dads, so make it easier on everyone (especially yourself) by setting some rules on laundry. If it needs to be washed, the person that wears the item brings it to the laundry, or it is not washed. If you need something for the next day of school, don't wait until 8:00 at night to ask someone to wash it, or you will be shown how to do that for yourself. Kids Fold Towels, period. With all of the laundry, ironing and everything else to do, this is an easy chore they can do from an early age until they leave for college. nnShopping for GrocerynnHelping mom and dad with grocery shopping can be fun and enjoyable for kids. Children are always quick to delegate orders when Mom is on the way to the Grocery Store .Next time you are headed out to the store, make it a family event. Evenly divide the grocery list between everyone and just so time isn't wasted at the Magazine stand, make it into a fun contest. For example, whoever finishes finding their items last, cleans up the dishes after the dinner meal.nnCleaning out the family vehicles nnCar washing can become a task that no one wants to do, even Dad. Since it isn't anyone's favorite pastime, have the entire family roll up their sleeves for family fun. Mom and Dad, get ready, it's sure to be a water fight! Make it fun but get it done!nnWork in the Yard nnTraditionally the yard is Dad's domain. It should not be his responsibility only. It can easily be done if everyone pitches in. Assign the younger children the task of picking up sticks or trash from the lawn area before Dad begins to mow. All toys can be moved aside by the people that use them! nnYard sale preparation nnDo you plan for a year sale? If you've ever experienced having a yard sale then you know the time and preparation in getting things ready for the big day. Children can help price things for the sale (they usually like that) and they can certainly go through their things with you to see what to keep and what to send out the door! Boys like to help Dad put out the yard sale or garage sale signs, and they may even want to make their own!nnnLeveraging your effort is a nice and effective thing. The chores will be cut in half if you let your children take some responsibility by helping you accomplish things around the house. The above list is only a suggestion, and you can add things that you think your children might be able to help you do. If you do not give your children an allowance, you should consider doing so if they pitch in and help. If they already receive an allowance, offer to reward them with a family night out doing something everyone enjoys! Also, when you assign chores, try to always make it a short and easy task. After all, they are just children!n