Shelter in Place Household Chores for Kids

Ugh!  Do we have to?  Is probably the response you get when instructing your children with the message that they need to do some chores around the house. 

Though that will probably be their response, once they get working, they might enjoy the work.  (I am using the word “enjoy” loosely!) If you children have not been doing chores, there is no better time than right now, in our shelter in place status.

While your son or daughter was at school, he/she was expected to keep his/his personal area neat and tidy.  The teacher had set times for various activities.  Your child knew that at 9:00 am they did ____ and at 10:00 came______ lunch would follow after______ and recess would be _____time.  The point being; your child had a very scheduled daily routine. 

Granted, at home you cannot have the same rigidity that your child had at school, however, having a daily structure:  morning/afternoon/evening WILL go a long way toward giving your child a sense of security while helping to keep your sanity.

A bonus for you: a structured day cuts down on childhood boredom which in turn leads toward sibling fighting. 

Let’s get started:

HG Labs family of all-natural, safe, non-toxic cleaners are safe for even your youngest preschool aged child to use (under supervision naturally).  Our household cleaners contain ethanol which helps remove germs from surfaces. Our online store of quality green cleaning products is open during Covid-19 shut downs!

Running low on hand soap?  We have a natural hand soap solution that won’t dry out your hands as most hand soaps do!  Baby Harmony Hand Soap Special is currently on until April 30^th.

Chores Appropriate per Grade Level:

Pre K-Kindergarten:

Set the table.  Families are home so why not get back into eating together at the table.

Clearing the table—everyone pitches in.

Loading the dishwasher.

First & Second graders:

Do dishes by hand.

Load dishwasher.

Dust furniture.

Can do chores listed for Pre K-K.

Third & Fourth Graders:

Cleaning all sinks & countertops in the home.

Clean toilets.

Wash windows.

Can do any of the chores for previous grades.

Fifth & Sixth Graders:

Sweep & mop floors.

Vacuum carpets.

Wash down tub/shower areas.

Can do any of the chores for previous grades.

Junior & Senior High schoolers:

Do the laundry.

Mow the grass.

Can do any of the chores for previous grades.

Benefits of kids doing chores:

1. It begins their entry into the workforce; creating a baseline for their work ethic.  If they do the job well, great!  If not done to Mom or Dad’s standard—they should redo the work.

2. Bonds the family unit.  It says—you’re a part of this family and here is a way you can contribute to our family wellbeing.

3. Adds structure to your child’s day.  Let’s be real, with most of our children home from school for the rest of the year, they need to have more to do during the day to fill their time.

4. Adding a “chore component” to your child’s day will help alleviate boredom which often leads to sibling fights.

5. Completing a task AND completing it well; gives children a sense of accomplishment & pride in their work.

6. Children helping out around the house frees up Mom and Dad for tasks that only they can do.

7. Clean surfaces = reduced germ surfaces.

8. Less time is required to clean the house if surfaces are daily kept clutter-free & wiped clean.

Remember:

Wash your hands after cleaning surfaces in your home!

Stay Safe and Stay Brightly Green Clean!

Please Leave a comment and a link to your Blog and or website!