Cleaning your House with a Toddler

Published by cravat | Filed under Buyer / Seller Tips, Miscellaneous, Real Estate

One of the hardest times for stay-at-home moms is when the children are little and chores begin to pile up. The smallest tasks become overwhelming when you get caught in the “before I can do that, I need to move that” cycle. Having a young child around the house doesn’t mean your home need be neglected, however. By incorporating some house cleaning games with your toddler, you can instill some habits and keep on top of the daily clutter at the same time.

Work out two simple daily routines for yourself: one for the morning and one for the evening. If you always do the tasks in the same order, they will become habits.

Devise a simple morning routine for each child. Make a picture chart of things she needs to do, such as cleaning her teeth and brushing her hair. Include picking up the previous day’s clothes and putting them in the laundry hamper. The toddler will need some help, but allow her to do as many things as possible by herself. Once breakfast is over, let her help you clear the table. She can carry items from the table to the sink or put cereal boxes back in their place.

Teach your child to tidy his room. Set the timer for five minutes, and play a game where you both try to pick up as many items as you can before the timer goes off. If there are still toys lying around, set the timer again. Eventually, you will be able to set the timer while he picks up the toys by himself.
Get your child to make her bed. Even when she is very small, she can help tug the comforter into place, smooth the pillows and put her pajamas ready for bedtime.

Encourage your child to sweep his bedroom floor. It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t get done properly. At first, you can sweep while he follows with his small broom. Get him to hold the dustpan for you. Use the timer to turn it into a game.
Dust the house with feather dusters. Use the timer, and pretend you and your child are house-cleaning fairies. Set the timer for five minutes. Each time it goes off, shake the “fairy dust” outside.

Sort clean laundry into piles: one for each member of the family. You can fold, and your child can stack the piles. She can carry her own laundry to her room and put it away.

Carry out “mad-dash tidy-ups.” Set the timer for five minutes, and everyone runs around a room, picking up and putting away as many things as they can.

De-clutter once a month. Give your child a recycling bag, and help him go through his toys and clothes, looking for those he has outgrown. Take them to a local goodwill center. Doing this regularly will keep space available for putting things away.