House Chores Activity for a Preschooler

Our schedule in general was getting way too full. I am definitely not one to let my house chores go for too long, but lately, things were so busy and the house chores were put on the back burner. That was not ok with me. I like living in an orderly home. It doesn't have to be pristine, of course, but loads of unfolded laundry for a week or a sink full of unwashed dishes for a couple of days is just not acceptable to me. We homeschool, which means that we are here all.the.time. If we are going to be here, I want my environment to be a bit more organized. 
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I have gotten a lot better about it, really. When I first got married, I literally couldn't fall asleep if I knew there was ONE dish in the sink. I would toss and turn and finally get up and wash it. Sleep was sweet after that. Then, thank God, children happened. They have taught me so much flexibility and to forgive myself, but most importantly, motherhood has helped me let go of that dreadful perfectionism. I still strive for excellence, but I am no longer bound to the chain of perfectionism. It can be so weakening to me.

So, going back to our present situation, our house chores were falling behind to such a place that I was uncomfortable with it. I decided to cut back our homeschooling block by 30 minutes (I tried 10 and 15, but they didn't work) to do a house chore or two. One night, I sat down and looked around the house. 

I thought of chores that met two requirements:

1) it was quiet enough to do while sister was napping (and it didn't require us going into the room where she is napping)

2) it is something that my 4-year old can help me with and be a part of

Perfect! I came up with a list, wrote each chore down on a cute piece of paper and put them in a cylinder container that says "To Do." I also have a timer (to set the 30 minute limit) and another cylinder container that says "Done."

Once our homeschooling time begins, Brother picks a chore from the "to do" cylinder container and we set the timer. We start working on that chore and if we have time, we move on to another one. We both enjoy working together a lot and i feel much better about the orderliness/cleanliness of our home. When we are done with a chore, we put it in the "Done" container.

When the "To Do" container is empty, we move all the chores back from the "done" container.

At first, my biggest hurdle was to cut back on our precious homeschooling time, but then I realized that by including him in the chores, he is not only learning, but he is enjoying himself, he is contributing to our family and he is becoming a well-rounded individual. So, someday, when he goes off to college or gets married, he will know how to dust, fold the laundry, put laundry away, fold cloth diapers, fold kitchen rags, unload the dishwasher, etc.

Sigh of relief. Awesome.

It has been working out so well for us! You should try it!

In fact, it has worked so well that I cut back yet another 30 minutes at the end of our homeschool three times a week so I can do my workout. It is great! He works out with me and is learning a healthy and orderly lifestyle by example and by becoming a part of it.  Win!