Help Them Help You

Children are so fascinating, right? I’m currently raising 4 of them! Spanning from 5 months to 12 years old.

One thing I’ve learned over the years with mine, if you help them do a chore at a young age, they do it much easier and better. You’re not only helping them, but you’re teaching them.

Children can’t read your mind so they don’t know that you want that toy in that box or this toy in that corner. Their little minds usually don’t pay attention either at first. But after a while and after getting a routine they do catch on.

Yelling at them doesn’t help either of you!! It stresses you out more than you probably already are and it stresses them out. It also makes them feel insecure and misunderstood. It also teaches them that yelling is ok. Has your child ever yelled at you when they’re angry or frustrated? They got that from you home girl!

Instead, walk into the bedroom with them. Sit on the floor where there is a mess. Pick one or two toys up at a time, hand it to your little one and tell them where you want the toy to go and point to the location. Don’t yell it or tell them in a bossy type way. Be sweet about it with a smile. Trust me, you’ll get a much better reaction.

If the living room or toy room is a mess and covered in toys, ask your little one “hey can you come help me with the living room/toy room?”. Help them do it. Let them take over while you go grab the vacuum or broom. Tell them “clean while I go grab the vacuum or broom”. Tell them that if they finish picking up they can help you sweep or vacuum when you return.

I hope this little trick helps you as much as it’s helped me over the years!

As always! Thanks for stopping by and come back tomorrow for more tips and stories!