Kristy Cammell Home Economics is a subject, right? Well, it’s equally valid as a learning tool for your children to help you with. If you’ve encountered a season where the housework has gone by the wayside and you’re feeling snowed under, I have a trick for you.
It’s time to try a Home Economics Day!
Here’s one way to tackle a Home Economics Day and get your children on board!
You can see below that I’ve created a whiteboard-full of jobs that need done. When my kids wake up to one of these (this time, including the wee note on the side about a little incentive as a thank you) they know exactly what it means.
The next step will be to hold a “meeting” and discuss together who will volunteer for which of the jobs (including mum) until they’re all divvied up. We’ll note this beside it in coloured whiteboard markers.
Then… go!!!
The deal is, if you finish earlier than the rest, you help someone else. That way it’s a team effort overall.
We may not quite nail the entire list (because we’re human, after all!) But I can guarantee we’ll all feel a whole lot better when we’ve managed to tick some of this somewhat mundane lot off, particularly ahead of the holidays.
I should add that for us, some of our usual routines have slipped while I’ve been unwell. So this is one way to help hit “reset” so that we don’t all end up stuck in overwhelm mode.
How about you? Have you tried something like this? Do you have another way that works for you? Please take a moment to tell us about it in the comments: your idea might be exactly what someone else needs to hear, right now.
Stay awesome! And please believe me when I say: you’ve got this. You really do!
Kristy x
Love this. Tricky for me as I have one child who loves housework the other strongly dislikes it but the incentive at the end may work 😊
Hi Denise – ahhh yes, it really can be a tricky one, can’t it! I hear you on that. Hopefully you’ll find that an incentive might make the process a little easier 😉 But I have to be honest and admit that it’s not always my kids’ favourite thing to do, either! They do appreciate the tidy/clean house at the end though, so I often find myself reminding them of how nice that will feel. Do let me know how you go! x
Hi, my kids are now 16, and twins 13. I knew we were brewing for a needed change as job lists, mummy date charts etc have fallen over. Two things are working well right now:
The first is me (with much prayer) letting go of the stress of not liking all the mess and hating anyone to see it. I’ve truly lowered my expectations to much more realistic. This has helped lessen tension and overwhelm.
Secondly, I chatted with the kids about how I think assigned jobs done ‘sometime’ in the week doesn’t work, and me having to ask for specific things to get done makes it haphazard and I can end up feeling sorry for them or they can feel nagged etc and I never know what’s too much expectation… So we now, looking at our term time schedule, have a board with dinners and kitchen (clean & clear) assigned. My lad, who likes cooking best, cooks two dinners (and will be now be adding to that cleaning up what he’s used for meal prep fully). The girls have a dinner night each plus a kitchen c&c once each (which involves decluttering floor, bench, clearing table, putting away dishes, sweeping). They each still need to keep up with their own laundry, and all contribute to those “Gran’s coming over” tidies. The rule is that if you can’t do your meal for whatever reason (even being away with friends) you swop with someone. Then one can know he/she is being responsible and truly contributing to our family needs. I’ve actually found it sooo good to have the evening off 4/7 which I can feel just fine using how I wish; sometimes getting to other jobs, sometimes having some down time. It also feels like we’re really functioning as a team. 🥰
Thank you so much for sharing, I’m finding myself gleaning ideas from what’s working for you, too! Pinpointing what’s not working and then finding ways to adjust it really is key, isn’t it. And how fab to have so many meals happening without the pressure always being on you. Thanks Rachael! 🥰
That is such great idea having a visual list for everyone to help with, thanks. I have young children and what works for us currently is called ‘Helping Hands’. There are around 5 small jobs (like check mailbox, empty dishwasher, tidy book shelf, 2min bedroom tidy up etc) on a hand shaped chart. We gather together for a hug and say our appreciation for their contribution- then the 15min timer starts and we are all off working in pairs or alone on which ever one/s we want to do.
Having a timer and all doing it together in the morning is a winner!!
I love this! What a great way to include your kids and inspire them to help with things around the house. Thanks so much for sharing, and sorry it’s taken me so long to see your comment! So thrilled for you that you’ve found what is working well for you in this season. I really like the way it encourages them to not just do “my job” but to think about the whole family. So good!! Thanks Annabel 💗