Spring Organizing With the Help of Kids
Can it be done?
Will kids help?
What jobs can kids do?
At what age can my child start to help?
Where can we start?
Make a list----a lot of lists----make one for everybody!
OUTSIDE
Rake the leaves
Clean the gutters
Wash the windows
Clean the flower garden and lay down newspapers
Fix the dirt in the outside planters
Paint the lawn furniture
Paint the wheelbarrow
Get out the hoses and sprinklers
Paint the house
Clean the lawn furniture
Get out the kids toys
Tighten all chains, bolts and seat on bikes
Hang outside clothesline
Check for weather damage on the house
Check for loose caulking on house
Check weather stripping on house
Clean out chimney (if used for fireplace)
Check roof for loose shingles
Check rain gutters to make sure they are tight
INSIDE
Clean Cobwebs out of corners
Wash Windows
Change or wash curtains
Wash Walls
Paint Walls
Clean all glassware
Clean all Mirrors
Clean all TV. Screens
Wash all Carpets
Wash all upholstery
Clean out refrigerators
Clean out old food out of freezers
Rearrange pantries and get rid of old canned food
GARAGE
Sweep the garage.
Dust off all of the tools
Hang the tools in proper place,
Pick up all of the garbage and papers
Build a rack to hold newspapers
Get a box and label it for rags
Wash off wheelbarrow, rakes and garden tools with a hose
Wash the lawn mower
Find a place to store outside toys
Those kids are actually better than adults are at some jobs.
Why?
Because they tend to look at all the work and they do it in the simplest way.
Adults tend to make work harder than it needs to be.
Ask a child to design an area with all of the hand tools that you have, placing all 'like' items together and then walk away and let them do it, telling them that YOU know they can do it better than you can, a matter of fact, they will take over and do an excellent job.
Why do you think that happens?
Not because they really are better at it, but because they know that, you 'trust' them and have faith in them. They want to excel and please; therefore, they do!
My grandchildren think that Grandma REALLY needs help (they aren't all wrong about that) and that without them she wouldn't be able to do anything! My kids on the other hand can't figure out how come when the grandkids are here they do more work in one day than they do at home in a year.
See, even kids of Professional Organizers don't always take Mom's advice!
The kids do more because they are trusted and know that whatever they get accomplished Grandma will absolutely 'love'!
It may not be the best job in the world, but it is a lot better than what it looked like when I got up in the morning, so I am way ahead in organizing my life (with my grandkids help of course).
Try doing it with your kids and grandkids, ask them and they will deliver! It doesn't make any difference what the age of the child is, the three year old has her handy little broom and really sweeps up a storm, picks it up with the dust pan and throws it in the trash; she is also the best little duster around and makes sure NO dust remains on anything!
Jan Hayner is a Professional Organizer that gives hints and tips for Organizing Your Life and shortcuts to achieve your goals. Easy Home Organizing is your guide to create a stress-free life and an organized one.