Getting Kids to Clean House

by Sami

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission when you make a purchase at NO additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our site in this way!

In just over seven years of being a parent, I’ve learned that getting my kids to clean the house is less about them and more about me.

For years, I said that it didn’t matter what they did or how they did it, as long as they were helping.

But who was I kidding?

After so many times of having to go back over their bathroom cleaning or laundry folding, they knew that wasn’t really the case. And even more so, their attitude mattered as well.

I didn’t want an eye-roll every time I asked them to fold laundry. Was it too much to ask them to WANT to help me? Evidently so.

Yes, we’ve tried the chore charts & allowance as motivation, but after awhile, my son just said (in his most selfless voice), “it’s OK mom, you can just keep the money”.

But just when I was about to give up and was sitting in my room by myself one day, my son came in and started playing a game next to me. Not long after, my daughter brought in the book she was reading and plopped down next to us. For awhile, no words were even exchanged. After several minutes had passed, I finally asked my son, “What are you doing here?”

Without a pause, he answered back, “I just want to be close to you.”

Once I finally grasped the concept that my children just wanted more of ME, I allowed them to be a part of my life more. Instead of shooing them away I was making dinner (under the guise of getting it done faster), I welcomed them in, regardless of whether it was to help or just sit and do homework.

If I was working on the computer, my son would just want to lay in my lap. And yes, if I was sitting on the floor doing laundry, they’d come sit in the pile with me.

I learned that getting my kids to help clean was less about ordering them around and more about modeling the desired behavior.After all, don’t our children follow our actions more than they listen to our words???

Now, I get out three spray bottles whenever it’s time to clean the bathroom instead of just one. Whenever possible, we work alongside each other and clean up each others’ messes! My standard isn’t perfection, but instead completion. If we can work together and finish what we set out to do, then I count that as a cleaning success. Once they get involved, not only do they feel a sense of accomplishment, but they are more likely to keep clean what they’ve already cleaned!

Of course, it’s always nice to have someone come in and do the cleaning for you so you can take the day off with your kiddos!

Want to hand over cleaning to the experts? Tell us how you have taught and encouraged your kids to clean and be entered to win one of two prizes!

  • First Prize: House Cleaner for a day plus $100 in product from GreatCleaners.com.
  • Second Prize: A Copy of the Book Over 100 Helpful Household Hints

With GreatCleaners.comClean Club, you’ll never have to shop for cleaning products again. With the simplicity of automatic shipments that fit your schedule and free shipping on every order, plus 25% off your first order, you’ll never have to be without your favorite, essential cleaning products. Click here to join the Clean Club today!

WamnWWantWant to hand over cleaning to the experts? Tell us how you have taught your kids to clean for a chance to win one of two prizes!
•First Prize: house cleaner for a day plus $100 in product from Greatcleaners.com.
•Second Prize: A copy of the book 101 Uses for Baking Soda With Greatcleaners.com Clean Club, you’ll never have to shop for cleaning products again. With the simplicity of automatic shipments that fit your schedule and free shipping on every order, plus 25% off your first order, you’ll never have to be without your favorite, essential cleaning products. Click here to join Clean Club today!Want to hand over cleaning to the experts? Tell us how you have taught your kids to clean for a chance to win one of two prizes!
•First Prize: house cleaner for a day plus $100 in product from Greatcleaners.com.
•Second Prize: A copy of the book 101 Uses for Baking Soda With Greatcleaners.com Clean Club, you’ll never have to shop for cleaning products again. With the simplicity of automatic shipments that fit your schedule and free shipping on every order, plus 25% off your first order, you’ll never have to be without your favorite, essential cleaning products. Click here to join Clean Club today!Want to hand over cleaning to the experts? Tell us how you have taught your kids to clean for a chance to win one of two prizes!
•First Prize: house cleaner for a day plus $100 in product from Greatcleaners.com.
•Second Prize: A copy of the book 101 Uses for Baking Soda

Want to hand over cleaning to the experts? Tell us how you have taught your kids to clean for a chance to win one of two prizes!
•First Prize: house cleaner for a day plus $100 in product from Greatcleaners.com.
•Second Prize: A copy of the book 101 Uses for Baking Soda With Greatcleaners.com Clean Club, you’ll never have to shop for cleaning products again. With the simplicity of automatic shipments that fit your schedule and free shipping on every order, plus 25% off your first order, you’ll never have to be without your favorite, essential cleaning products. Click here to join Clean Club today!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of GreatCleaners. The opinions expressed by me do not necessarily reflect the view of the Arm & Hammer Brand.

You may also like

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More

Privacy & Cookies Policy