Mondays after work, school and daycare can be a bit chaotic and tiring. Getting back into the routine of the work week has its challenges, especially with tired kids. While I was in a rush to make supper (yes, we still say supper for all you dinner folks!) my kids were hanging out at the kitchen table. Savannah was showing me what she did in school, while Bryce was having a small, but messy snack and getting it all over the floor. At one point he was using his toy skid loader to scoop up his cheese…Toddlers, am I right?😉 I turned around and saw Savannah walking into the closet, she pulled out the broom, and began sweeping the mess under the kitchen table. Totally unprompted to do so. Then, Bryce picked up the pan and held it for her while she swept. My heart melted while this little 5 minute moment made my whole night. 

Ben and I try to teach our kids to be responsible by having them complete tasks alongside us, hoping one day that they’ll be responsible adults, too. We don’t have a chore chart, but we do set expectations for how the kids can be helpful in the house and outside with the animals, teaching them that everyone contributes. 

Let me preface this by saying that Savannah is 5, and truly loves to be a helper whether it’s at home, daycare, or school. Bryce could be a different story (as all kids are different), but lately he loves to be right at my side in the kitchen ready to mix or stir. Ben and I are by no means experts, nor are we pretending to be, but coming together as a family is important to us. 

Here are examples of chores my own kids are capable of doing if you are looking for some ideas! Some of these are done daily and some chores that require more time are done over the weekend. (With a quick google search, you can find examples for all ages.)

Savannah (5): fold towels, move laundry from washer to dryer, feed pets, empty dishwasher (avoiding sharp utensils), put laundry away, fix bed daily, and put backpack away after school.

Bryce (2): set table, put plate away after supper, clean up toys or spills, put dirty clothes in laundry basket, and help with cooking/baking. Note: most of these are done with assistance from an adult.

A few things to keep in mind

• If you have toddlers, like Bryce, invite them to do things alongside you. They love to be involved (they are already in your face anyway 😂) and enjoy helping out. They feel so full of pride and accomplishment when they are finished. 
• It’s important to help them recognize how good they feel when they complete a task or do a good job. 
• Learn to let go. Yes, some towels may not be folded as neatly as you’d like or the dishes might not be placed in the correct spot. Please try to focus on the fact that they are trying and will get it, with patience. 
• They are not perfect (nor are we) and we do pick our battles at times. But, in the end I can feel that we are establishing some great life skills. 
• If you are wanting a chore chart to help establish some routines, here is a great Magnetic Chore Chart that I found on Amazon.

Did Savannah get the entire kitchen floor cleaned up tonight? No, but that’s not the objective of this lesson. Instead I cherished the moment and celebrated that she decided to contribute all on her own! She and her brother inspired this post tonight.

Signed, 

Just a mom trying to raise little humans to help make the world a better place! ❤️

Rooted in ag and led by faith,

Jess