Now that is an odd title, isn’t it? I know what you must be thinking, really I do. The phrase “Whoo-hoo! Time to clean!” never comes out of your mouth, not with an honest smile on your face anyway. And wait a gosh-darn-minute, how the heck are chores ever going to be fun for kids? Also, you may be saying to yourself “I cannot even think about getting anything clean, let alone orderly with my children running around the house.” Valid points, for sure. But as crazy as this notion may seem, you are indeed able to get your chores completed and maybe even get your little ones to help. Now, they may not be doing the windows or dusting but if they are involved and if it is fun for them you can clean up with the kids around.
Most of us know that the sound of a vacuum can sometimes sooth a baby but did you know that you can have your older toddlers and kids hysterical with laughter, running around the house (tiring themselves out!) while you chase them into corners, up and down hallways and into every room with your menacing Hoover or Oreck? I love vacuuming with my girl (oh heck, I just say it: I love vacuuming in general!) I make silly faces at her, exaggerated monster-type movements with the rest of my body while chasing her from room to room. We always have a blast. What is the best part? I end up with an immaculate carpet and a very happy kid!
Aside from vacuum fun, we have discovered that our girl loves to clean tile floors. She will grab the Swifter, a replacement pad and, very methodically, clean the kitchen floor. She also does this at Grandmom’s house; in fact, that is where it started. She takes a lot of pride in her efforts and is beaming with confidence as she works. She also loves, and this started at a really young age, maybe 18 months, to take a tissue and “clean” all the door knobs in the house.
By the end of the day, you will have a cleaner home, tuckered-out rugrats and some proud little helpers.
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