Chores

I've read a lot of articles and watched a few experts say that assigning responsibilities to children in the home can build self esteem, it prevents "spoiling" and it makes them, in general, more responsible people.  I've also had a few moms tell me it helps their children feel important and needed, and that it is never too young to start.   So, needless to say, one of the things I've been wanting to do with my three year old is assign him some "chores" to do to help around the house.  He loves to sort things and I hate laundry, so I decided that having him help me put his clean clothes away was a great place to start.  I began by taking pictures of a few items of his clothes in each drawer.  Then I inserted those pictures into a word document and made little labels to put on the front of each drawer where the corresponding clothing items are kept. Finally, I cut them out and taped them to the front of the drawers so my son would know where the correct place to put everything was, and voila, I was ready to give my son his first chore.

It worked so well!!  I would fold the clothes and he would put them away.  He loves to sort things, so this was the perfect first job.  He loves to help mom and he feels super proud when he puts everything in the right place.  He even sorted his colored socks from his white ones without me telling him to, which was amazing.  I get part of my laundry done a little faster so I'm happy too.  And one other bonus I didn't count on was that it helps him get dressed in the morning because he knows where to find everything...and dad knows too so he can't get out of a job by playing dumb.  If this is something you want to try, but you don't want to make your own labels, click here and you will be taken to Hannah Keeley's website where you can print off some cute drawer labels complete and ready to be downloaded and printed off.  Hannah Keeley is a professional organizer (with her own show called Hannah Help Me) and her website is full of good ideas!  I do have one word of advice...I taped on my labels, which could mean damage to my dresser fronts one day.  If this is a problem for you, find an alternative way to put on the labels, like the sticky tac that teachers use or some other non-damaging substance.  Even if sorting laundry is not something you want your toddler doing, I still suggest finding a household job for your little ones to do!  My sister does more simple things like "it is your job to take the empty milk jugs out to the cooler when they are empty" or "it is your job to pick up all the shoes around the house before you go to bed."  Though simple, her girls just love their "chores" and take them very seriously.  It really does make children feel important when you give them a job and it eliminates something off the busy mom's to-do list.  It's definitely a win-win!