Kids don’t like doing things that take them away from their favorite activities, so it’s normal for your children to get upset when you tell them to do their chores.

However, they’ll have to learn about housework sooner or later. Are you ready to start? The following tips will help you avoid angry faces and temper tantrums during this challenging step as a caring parent.

Tip #1. Explain why housework is important

Usually, when children think about cleaning, they don’t see all the benefits of it, only the fact that it consumes time they prefer to use for things they enjoy—like playing or watching TV. 

So, start by explaining to your children why they should keep their things tidy—like getting rid of bugs that can live inside their mess and germs that make them sick. Understanding the reason behind housework can make your kids stop feeling like they’re doing a purposeless task.

Tip #2. Give your kids a head start

When they’re just starting, your kids can feel overwhelmed by all the new chores they have to do. Remember, they are not just doing the task but also learning how to do it! 

To make new chores a little easier for your children, give them a head start. For example, you can sweep the floor and leave your kids to pick up the toys. The best part? You don’t have to do this every time! Only at the start of the process for a couple of days while they get used to it.

Tip #3. Keep the clean-ups consistent

Kids like to spend their time on fun or enjoyable activities, and they count on having all their free time for that. If you tell them they must clean immediately, they may feel robbed of their playtime.

To help your kids understand they’ll have to include cleaning tasks in their daily activities, you can set a chore chart and stick to it. A routine is a great way to let your kids get accustomed to their new responsibilities because they’ll know beforehand when it’s time for playing or cleaning.

Tip #4. Give them age-appropriate tasks

Depending on your kid’s age, there will be tasks they simply can’t handle. For example, younger kids won’t be able to reach high places or maneuver a full-size broom, so it’s important to give them tasks they can accomplish to save both of you the frustration.

If you are unsure which tasks are age-appropriate for your children, check this list.

Tip #5. Keep it small

Cleaning an entire room in one go can seem like a lot for anybody, no wonder your kids complain! However, all the pending chores will feel less overwhelming to your kids if you divide the room into smaller sections or separate the tasks throughout the week. 

For example, you can have your kids fold their clothes on Monday, tidy up on Tuesday, etc. The idea is to make cleaning less stressful for your kids while moving forward with all those tasks.

Tip #6. Make cleaning a game

Young kids get bored easily, so the best way to keep them invested in cleaning is to treat this tedious activity as a fun game. 

For example, you can have them separate their toys by color or throw the trash in a wastebasket from afar. If you have more than one child, you could make them race to see who puts their clothes in the laundry basket first. Don’t be afraid to get creative!

Extra tip: Don’t treat cleaning as a punishment

Using chores to discipline your kids can seem tempting if things aren’t working out. However, having your children associate cleaning with something bad will only make them want to do the tasks even less—even when it’s not a punishment. 

So, to avoid making cleaning even more despicable to your kids, be a little patient and try one of the other tips before treating their chores as punishment.

Do you want to learn to clean your house like a pro?

Cleaning your house doesn’t have to be so difficult for you and your kids—all it takes is guidance and the right products and tools.

On our blog, you will find the best cleaning tips and tricks to learn to clean your house like a professional!