It is difficult, especially in the early years, to get everything done that must be done by yourself. There comes a point where you must enlist some help. Even if your children are little, they can help. It may not seem like it is a good return on your time to train your children to help you clean up and do simple tasks around the house, but trust me, in the long run it is soooo definitely worth it!

I got to a point that the boys were doing such a good job cleaning that things got done quickly. And then one day I realized that my eight year old daughter hadn’t learned nearly as much as my boys had by age eight. It was a hard decision to take a job from the older boys and train her to do it but it needed to be done.

Today I’m sharing an article about a system that helped one lady and may help you as well.

Until next time, God bless,

Michele ºÜº

P.S. I’m sorry the tables/charts didn’t turn out exactly right below, but it is enough to give you an idea and create your own.

Crunching Through the Cracker Crumbs

By Misty West

Once again I crunched through cracker crumbs as I reached for the broom for the third time that morning. Before one mess was conquered, two more were made by my young blessings. I felt that trying to keep my house clean was like chasing after the wind.

Whether my frustrations were the result of expectations that were too great or emotional wires that were crossed, I was completely overwhelmed with caring for two young children, homeschooling, keeping house, and the many things we moms do. To streamline housecleaning, my husband stepped in and created a simple chore list for me. I had daily, weekly, and monthly chores. It looked a little like this:

At first I was skeptical, thinking that the list oversimplified all that I do. However, with the understanding that the “chore of the day” would be done only on its day, I gave it a try. As I used the list, I found that my mind was freed from guilt about the fact that not everything was clean at the same time. If the bathroom sink looked a bit messy, I could wipe it down quickly if I chose, but I knew that it would be cleaned on Tuesday. I felt like I could begin managing my house instead of it ruling me.

Now, several years and another baby later, I realize that the list has become routine. I’ve tweaked it a bit and I’m a bit more relaxed about the extra little messes that come with discovery learning! While not comprehensive, my chore list gives me a basic template for organization. By the end of the week all of the main chores are done and my house is relatively clean.

A few tricks help me keep our areas straightened as the day progresses. Emptying the dishwasher in the morning allows us to load it throughout the day, keeping the kitchen more manageable. I also throw in a load of laundry first thing in the morning so that I can tend to it, and any others I choose to do, as I am able. Around lunchtime, we take a few minutes to straighten up whatever school supplies have been used that day. Chore time occurs whenever it is convenient on any given day. Around 4 p.m. each day we do a run-through, straightening the main living areas and creating as much order as possible before welcoming Daddy home.

Following this simple chore list has freed me to manage my home with less stress and consequently to enjoy my family more. Keep it simple so that even on your most hectic days, you will succeed. You can always do the never-ending miscellaneous tasks as you have time, but include the most important chores on the template, which for me were kitchen, floors, laundry, and bathrooms. Tweak it to suit your family and your needs.

I left the weekends open for worship, relaxing, and occasionally conquering bigger organizing jobs around the house. Include your children in chore time, even the toddlers. Consider making a list of deeper cleaning items, such as cleaning baseboards and windows, for your children to do in exchange for allowance or privileges. Hopefully, following this simple chore list will help you maintain a more comfortable environment for you and your family and free you to enjoy your family more.

Misty West lives in Grapevine, Texas, with her husband, Jody, and their three blessings aged 10, 8, and 3. She enjoys the worship at their messianic synagogue, listening to audio books, and dark chocolate! Misty values the blessing of homeschooling, the support of her husband, and hopes to be an encouragement to other homeschoolers and those considering joining the journey.

Copyright 2012, used with permission. All rights reserved by author. Originally appeared in the November 2012 issue of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, the family education magazine. Read the magazine free at www.TOSMagazine.com or read it on the go and download the free apps at www.TOSApps.com to read the magazine on your mobile devices.

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