When planning your housecleaning schedule, take into account what you'll do with the kids to keep them occupied or busy.
Even the most organized housekeeper will run into problems occasionally when trying to manage the kids at the same time. After all, children of all ages can be unpredictable. They get sick, become cranky, or make plans that contradict yours. Learn to plan ahead to maximize your productivity while supervising kids and cleaning house at the same time.
1. New babies. Many mothers work around their infants' feeding and sleep schedules to complete basic housekeeping chores. For example, after feeding the baby first thing in the morning, she will make the family's beds, run the dust mop, and pick up clutter like old newspapers or discarded mittens. After lunch, while the little one naps, many moms take a short rest as well, which is a good way to help them re-energize without getting overwhelmed. Then they may pop a load of laundry in and put supper in the oven or crock pot. After the baby's nap is over and he has been fed and changed, Mom may do another load of laundry and finish dinner preparations. After supper, the kids and Dad can pitch in and help. All the while, baby's schedule remains intact.
2. Toddlers. This age group may require a little more supervision. They can be placed in the playpen or set in the child's indoor swing. Naps still help to provide unfettered time for moms to get caught up on chores. Kids that can walk can pick up their toys or help fold clean towels from the laundry. You can occupy their attention with upbeat music videos or play a film video while you do more detailed chores.
3. School-age children should have individual lists of weekly chores to work on, which can be done while Mom and Dad do their household work. Everyone can work at pre-set designated times, or they can do individual tasks as their schedules permit. At this age, children do not require constant supervision, but they can be brought under a parent's protective eye while sweeping the kitchen, unloading the dishwasher, or vacuuming the living room. Work side-by-side with them occasionally to promote a sense of team-building and mutual support.
4. Teens will probably have expanded chore lists that they will work into a schedule that already contains school and extracurricular activities. The nice part is that they require little direct supervision, although tasks should be checked to be sure they are handled correctly. Many parents provide some incentives to help teens get their work done, such as the use of the family car, a regular allowance, or lifted restrictions as well as additional benefits. Some families rotate chores every few months to give kids exposure to a wide range of skill-building duties and to keep housework from becoming boring.
It is important for parents to set a good example by handling their own housework in a competent manner. They also should assign chores that are age-appropriate and make them manageable by playing fun background music or serving healthy snacks afterward. Maintaining a positive attitude is vital for letting kids see that performing necessary work can lead to a sense of accomplishment in reaching goals and earning rewards.
