Cleaning Rhythms for Kids

A few years ago, we hired a house cleaner to come in bi-weekly to clean our house top to bottom. In the season we were in, this helped ease the burden of two working parents with hectic schedules. While life hasn’t become any less hectic, we did make the tough (and I mean tough) decision to forgo the house cleaning service when we sat down to lay out our financial goals and plan for the 2024 year. 

Not only did this support our financial goals, it also presented a unique opportunity for our two kids to take on more responsibility around our home. The timing couldn’t have been better as (1) they both asked to start earning allowance money and (2) they were both of an age where their work could make a real impact. Major bonus - letting go of our beloved house cleaner didn’t mean EVERYTHING was on my husband and I to take on. 

I wish I could tell you that overnight, the quality of our work was just as good as a professional cleaner, but we all know that wasn't the case. What I can tell you is that with the right plan, clearly communicated expectations, daily execution, and a few nights of trial and error, we began to experience many, if not all of the benefits of a professionally cleaned home. 

Honestly, the plan was the easy part. We divided the many tasks based on the children’s ages, taking into account where they would be able to add the most value. The next step was to show our kids what “right” looked like, so they would know what it meant to complete a task in a way that met our expectations. Was this a one-time demonstration? No. Do they regularly perform these tasks without flaw? Hardly, but they are getting better. The important thing is they are contributing to the family responsibilities, which gives my husband and I time back in our day. 

Not to mention, we are training them with a future in mind. One day, they will be fully responsible to manage spaces of their own out from under our supervision, and these are tangible skills they will carry with them for the rest of their lives and can be used to serve and bless others. 

So, what things can your kiddos help do around the house?

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