August 3, 2011
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Starting Early (Parenting with Purpose)
Recently I was asked how I train my children to pick up after themselves? Trash in the trash can, laundry in the clothes hamper, dishes in the dishwasher, etc... I thought to myself for a few moments and really didn't know how to answer. As days passed, I kept wondering how is it that my kids just "know" what is expected. How did I teach them this? Then I remembered something that happened when Katie wasn't yet two. Some friends of ours were guests at our house and their almost two year old had removed his socks. They were getting ready to leave and we were searching the house over for his socks. We couldn't find them anywhere. I loaned them a pair of Katie's socks and promised to bring them their socks once they turned up. The next day I went to do a load of laundry and there in the top of our clothes hamper was our little guest's socks. Katie had found them in the floor and taken them to the clothes hamper. Just the way we taught her.
From the time she could walk, I would let her "help" me. When I changed her clothes, I'd have her walk them to the clothes hamper and place them inside. To her little mind it was a game that she enjoyed very much. Daddy would give her a piece of trash to take to the trash can for him and of course, he'd brag on what a good girl she was to help daddy. We didn't expect her to remember to put all her clothes in the clothes hamper or to put all her toys in the toy box. However, if we did see her clothes or toys scattered about, we'd take the time to "play our game" and we'd clap and cheer for her as she complied.
It was only natural that as we had more children, we played the same types of games. Our older children even began to teach our young children just as they had been taught. Here we are today, with most our clothes in the clothes hamper, most our trash in the trash can, most our dishes in the dishwasher, and most our toys in the toy box with only the occasional reminder from mom and dad.
Train them early, make it a game, and momma will always have lots of little helpers.
Comments (5)
very true
I have found that the more kids I have the younger I start them. For example, my youngest son started setting the table and emptying the dishwasher when he was 2. I do find that neatness is somewhat inate in the child though. I could find my 2nd son anywhere in the house by following the trail of his belongings, while my oldest daughter would clean up any piles she finds around the house.
The Mary Poppins way!
It works, though.
@Devich - Exactly!
@Sevenofus - So true. Some are born organized. My 2nd daughter takes neatness to the extreme. She has even been known to make unmade beds at the homes of her friends. lol
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