Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CollectiveBias #InstaClean
It is no surprise that we are a fan of the Montessori teachings, but it might be a surprise that one of my favorite teachings that we have seen Jude bringing home since attending a Montessori school is chore work! Yes, Chores! A couple years ago I would have NEVER thought Jude was ready for chores but he is – honestly, so is Teagan. Bringing Mommy’s Little Helper out in my kids has not only helped us keep a clean home but also shown both of my kids how to be proud of their hard work and chores.
Now let me just be clear, I am well aware of keeping our kiddos kids but I am really enjoying the fun with chores as well. Also, anyone have any ideas as to why my GLASS front door is never clean? Tongue prints, hand prints, boogers, dirt….I invite you in with a warning right in front of your face when you come to my house! We will never have that picture perfect clean home but with the help of products like Windex® and Pledge® we can help each other do our chores.
Currently, we are focusing on introducing Jude to some house chores. This means that Teagan is also being introduced because she does everything Jude does. For Jude we started keeping a chore chart for him to fill in whenever he helps me and becomes Mommy’s Little Helper around the house.
It is funny how most adults would see this basket of cleaning supplies and groan at the thought of having to clean house, kids are different. Sure they aren’t going to do a perfect job but when Jude sees me get my basket of cleaning supplies he immediately looks at his chore chart to see where he could earn a sticker. That behavior shows me that the act of a simple yet age appropriate chore can be enjoyable for kids of all ages, not to mention a great teachable moment!
One of the chores that has become a weekly thing for Jude and Teagan to take on is our glass front door. YIKES! While it never stays clean it is great to try and it is a task that is very easy for Jude and Teagan to both help with. I simply spray my favorite Windex® Crystal Rain glass cleaner on the door and have Jude and Teagan hand me the paper towels and I show them how all those prints, fingers and tongue, are wiped away!! This is a simple way to have them involved in the cleaning process.
Not only are they feeling accomplished when they do their work and chores but when they see fingerprints on the door throughout the week they understand what has to happen next. The actual act of them understanding when things get dirty and need cleaned is a great thing to start learning. Also, it gives me hope that they will start really thinking about the messes they are making! Hopes for a clean home is in the future!!
After Jude started coming home from school asking to sweep and clean I knew we had to continue the work at home. Thank you Montessori!! We decided to use a sticker chart for him. I didn’t want him to have a ton of chores to do every Saturday so we made a monthly chart instead of a week or day chart. This sticker chart has to be filled out completely for him to earn his reward. We do a very small monthly allowance for his work on the chore chart. If all of his dots are full of stickers at the end of the month we let him put $5.00 into his piggy bank! That is a lot of money to a little guy!
We do change up what chores he is doing for the month. Sometimes it depends on how messy the house is! HA! Some examples: Dishes, Door, Playroom, Room, Dust, Sweep, ect. Easy yet age appropriate chores. Something he can succeed at and build on!
To get your kids interested in chores and rewarding them for being Mommy’s Little Helper print off your own chore chart.
My Chore Monthly Chart FREE Printable – HERE!
I found all of my favorite cleaning supplies at my King Soopers. Looking to start your own Mommy’s Little Helper chart and basket? Now is a great time! Head to your local Kroger* Shopping Center and take advantage of the Mega Event for Windex® (11/3/2014 – 11/15/2014) and Pledge® (11/10/2014 – 12/27/2014) – By 4 and save $4!! Nice! Great time to stock up and get ready for the messy and busy holiday seasons!
*Kroger Affiliates Include Baker’s Supermarkets, City Market, Dillons Food Stores, Fry’s Food And Drug, Gerbes Super Markets, Harris Teeter, Jay C, King Soopers, Owen’s, Pay Less Super Markets, QFC, Ralphs, Scott’s, Smith’s, Fred Meyer, and Food 4 Less
I leave you with a great quote that I try to focus on a lot in our home.
Every child is eager for work, even when the work seems like chores to the adult.
~Maria Montessori
How do you encourage your kids to be Mommy’s Little Helpers?
Isn't it great that they teach this in Montessori school? Lennox doesn't love it – but likes it – I hope it will help form good habits though when she gets older!
Kids naturally love to help, it may take them a little longer but I always give them a chance to help out.
Lincoln loves to clean…right now! I figure I'll take it while I can get it 😉