Simplify Your Housework

Ava's not sure she likes where this post is going...

Simplify your housework. Don't do anything that someone else can do. Like any little people you happen to have living with you. Or perhaps your roommate. Even your dog (they are very good vacuum cleaners as far as food on the floor goes).

Here's a starter list of when you can pass those chores onto the little people in your house, if you happen to have them. Incomplete of course. Add to it, print it out, and put it in a visible spot so you can not only simplify your life, but teach the kids some life skills as well.

Keep in mind that these are when the child should be able to do the chore by themselves without much help. And here's my disclaimer: Don't have cleaning chemicals near kids.

Toddlers/Preschoolers:

• Put toys away
• Pick out clothes for tomorrow
• Get dressed 
• Dust (put old socks on their hands)
• Put clothes and bath towels in laundry basket
• Wipe place at table after eating

Kindergarteners: 

• Empty trashcans
• Make bed
• Collect the mail
• Fix breakfast cereal
• Help put dishes away
• Clear their spot after meals
• Water plants
• Clean windows 
• Feed the pets
• Fold and put away laundry (yes, they can learn to fold properly!)

First/Second Graders:

• Sweep floor
• Clean bedroom
• Sort books such that all the binds are facing out
• Sort clean laundry
• Set and clear table
• Rake leaves 
• Put away groceries 

Third/Fourth Graders:

• Vacuum
• Clean the bathrooms
• Load dishwasher
• Take dog on a walk
• Help make lunch or dinner

 Fifth Graders and Beyond:

• Clean bathrooms
• Clean kitchen
• Do laundry
• Iron clothes
• Wash car
• Mow lawn

I'll leave you with some other REALLY cute pictures of Ava helping her daddy fix the refrigerator. Just because she's so stinkin' cute. But also as a reminder: LET THE LITTLE PEOPLE CLEAN!