Chores can breed success: A research from years back found a correlation between the success of young adults who were given household chores.
Aside from responsibility, chores can teach kids discipline and planning (for older kids given multiple tasks). They also teach life-skills such as managing a household, as well as help build self-confidence and self-esteem.
Other than making the bed and picking-up toys, here are 2 areas your young kids can help you in.
Washing clothes and dishes
| Washing Clothes | Washing Dishes |
| Separating coloreds clothes from white and light colored ones | Removing left-over food or liquid from the plates or cups |
| Dumping and removing clothes in the washing machine | Soaping and rinsing the items |
| Putting detergent into the load | Drying and returning items to their “home” |
| Removing clothes from the spinner | |
| Folding (depending on age and skill level) |
Safety tips to remember
1. Heat
Be cautious when allowing younger kids to get clothes from the dryer.
Teach your children to use the cold water knob if you have hot water in the faucet, to prevent them from burning themselves.
2. (Un)Breakables
Allow younger kids to wash plastic cups, plates and utensils.
3. Detergent
Tiny hands can be sensitive to chemical-laden detergent and dishwashing soap. Why not use a product that contains all natural ingredients for the following reasons:
- No harmful ingredients such as bleach
- No need to worry if children accidentally swallow it since ingredients are edible
- Won’t dry your children’s hands – as well as yours
- Perfect for sensitive skin
- Helps the environment by sending chemical-free used water down the drain
Note: For those from Manila, Philippines, there’s a new product called D-Nee that offers (a) liquid detergent for clothes and (b) liquid cleanser for baby bottles and nipples (essentially a liquid dishwashing soap).
It fits all the bullet points above and won’t harm even the most sensitive skin. Why do we know? Because we’ve tried both products. (Click on the D-Nee link above for more information.)
Before you go
Remember to give your young ones age-appropriate tasks. Also, be patient when teaching them how to wash plates, for example.
They may not do it correctly right now, but with patience (from you) and persistence (from them), they’ll be elevated to the “super cleaner” level in no time!
What liquid detergent and dishwashing soap do you use when washing with your kids?
About Anne Mercado
I love visiting your blog sis. I learn some tips every time!
Btw, I used Japanese style bread crumbs. Check your grocery, they’re the ones that come in orange packaging.
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Twitter: mrskolca
That really really really really (this could go on, by the way) means a lot! And will try that recipe soon and yes, I think I’ve seen those Japanese breadcrumbs you used. Happy Easter again!
I really enjoy using the Seventh Generation products with the kiddos.
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Twitter: CreativeFam
Thanks for that awesome tip. Don’t think we have that brand in the Philippines though. Hope you had a great Easter and saw the angry birds Easter eggs on your blog. Verrrry cute!
Great tips! I forgot that the kids love to move the laundry around. I will have to have them do that more often!
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Regina, they do like moving the clothes around (and sometimes even want to jump in the “whirlpool”) which is why they can be good little helpers.
Excellent tips! My kids (almost age 9 and 6) are the laundry folders and now put their clothes away as well. Although the 6 year old needs a little extra help in not shoving everything in his drawers, it gets done without too much assistance. Since laundry is never ending, it helps to get a little help. My kids also dust, sweep and love the hand vacuum! As for cleaning products, I always go for the most natural products I can find.
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I like how your 6 year old shoves things in his drawers, but I don’t think you find it funny
kids will be kids.
wonderful tips!!! unbrakeables!!!! sometimes that all I’M allowed to wash too LOL
I have to say my kids are super when it comes to helping me with laundry– my daughter just hates folding, shoving her pants into the drawer so it bearly will close is more her style =^D
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Please tell your daughter I hate folding too! Thanks for dropping by, Pam!
I get all my kids to help out with the laundry including the baby and they all love it. Have yet to get them to wash the dishes on a regular basis as they enjoy playing with water too much and will end up “flooding” the kitchen sink.
Love your new header!!
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Twitter: dominiquegoh
Oh yeah, they’ll definitely flood the sink which usually tests the patience of parents. Haha.
About the header, glad you like it. My cousin is a graphics artist so he made me the logo.
Oh, I am SO pro-chore! Of course, when I was a child I had a much different attitude towards chores. Haha! My daughters get a chore chart to work off every week. Yep, even my 3yr old. Things like making their beds (or helping me – for the 3yr old,)putting away their clean clothes, and picking up their toys are always on the list. Each week, they get something new added that they haven’t tried or learned how to do yet. For example, sweeping the kitchen floor or pulling the trash bag out of the small bathroom trash can when it’s full. I believe everyone in the family can help with little tasks here and there to make life easier on mommy.
And it helps the family work together as a team to maintain a nice home for all of us to enjoy.
~Rosann
Twitter: ChrstianSuprMom
What seems to work is when they start doing chores young – it’s also a great time when we can all pretend that chores are FUN. Haha
But seriously, sometimes it’s the way the chores are presented. I tell my kiddo that it’s his “work” to do so and so, and at his age he loves having works (his plural version of work, of course, and we haven’t corrected him since it’s funny).
it’s good to read this! at least i know that no one can accuse me of “child labour”! hahahahaha…!
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Twitter: jenlaceda
Jen, that was funny. Well as long as we don’t explain the concept of child labor to our kids then they can never call us out on it. Thanks for leaving a comment and hope you had a blessed Easter.
Excellent tips, as usual
I like the idea of getting my daughter to help with the dishes. There are times when we don’t have household help, so I could definitely use the extra hand
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Twitter: PepperTan
A little child labor, as Jen said, is great especially when there’s no household help.