Mama’s Helpers

1) Unload dishwasher, put dirty dishes piled in the sink and across the counter into dishwasher. 2) Pick up socks strung down the hall and throughout the house. 3) Seek out Lego’s hiding in every nook and cranny. 4) Eradicate dust. 5) Wipe toothpaste off bathroom mirror and out of the sink~ again. 6) Start another load of laundry. 7) Fold the two loads of laundry heaped on living room floor. Plan and prepare next meal. 9) Gather up two-year-olds toys and have arranged nicely at least for two minutes or so. 10) Vacuum floors which seem to be a magnet for every piece of fuzz, scrap of paper and food remnant.
Does your daily list look a little like mine? Does the housework seem never ending? Are your rushing around constantly picking up or cleaning? Or do you just feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to start? Today I would like to give some practical advice on getting the whole family involved in helping mom in keeping an inviting, clean home.
When my boys were younger I struggled with a perfectionist complex. Everything had to be sparkling clean and just so. I spent my days quite efficiently picking up, cleaning and picking up some more. As the years went by, we began homeschooling and a couple babies joined our family, my ideal began to crumble and reality set in.
During school hours the toddler would destroy the house, dragging and dumping toys as he/she moved from room to room. There were always dirty dishes in the sink, crumbs on the floor, books covering every surface of the kitchen table, laundry piled in the living room and beds still unmade. For someone who finds peace in a clutter free home this was a big stressor. There were a couple of things I could do about it. 1) I could rant, rave and have a mommy meltdown or 2) I could get some help from the other members in my family.
I decided on number 2. Best for mama and for all those who have to live with me! First I decided we needed a more structured morning routine. I was tired of reminding each child what needed to be done every morning. I made up a chart that listed items that needed to be accomplished each and every morning as soon as breakfast was finished.

Under the picture chart I made another chart that listed what each child’s cleaning chore was for the given day of the week. For example, on Wednesdays they clean the bathroom. One boy cleans the sinks, countertops, doorknobs and light switches. Another sweeps the floors and the youngest empties the trash baskets with the help of his two-year-old sister.
At first this method required a bit of supervision. I also had to take the time to teach my children how I wanted the jobs done. However, it was time well spent. Now they know what is expected of them and very rarely do I have to make them re-do their jobs.
Now before you think that I have this system all figured out, I have a confession to make. Until recently I was still doing a lot of picking up and general housework. That is until a bulging disk in my back landed me in bed, flat on my back, for eight weeks. During that time I came to realize that there were some things my children didn’t know how to do; household chores, I had failed to take the time to teach them. The perfectionist in me had taken over and in my mind it was just easier if I did it myself. I quickly realized what a big mistake I had made. My boys didn’t know how to properly load the dishwasher. Their laundry folding abilities left something to be desired. (I don’t expect perfectly folded laundry, but something better than a wrinkled, jumbled lump would have be better.) They had very limited cooking skills. They left their things scattered all throughout the house resulting in a cluttered, jumbled mess. And come to find out, they didn’t even know how to make a pot of coffee, the horrors!
As moms we often think we have to do all and be all. God definitely used my time of “work release” to show me that wasn’t His plan at all. What I have learned is that as a family we need to work together to keep our home clean and picked up. It is a family affair not just mama’s duty. I have learned that I need to be a better manager of my home. Titus 2:5 tells us we are to be “busy at home.” I have always been very good at being “busy” at home. In the past I have spent much of my time rushing from room to room tidying up after the members of my family. I’m pretty sure this isn’t the type of busy Paul was referring to. Because that kind of busy just creates a burned out mama! My plan now is to be a better organizer of household duties. So, excuse me while I get busy becoming a better keeper of my home!

Visit me at my blog:

About The Author

Jenn has written 33 articles on this blog.

Jenn is a country girl living the country life with her husband and four children. Her deepest desire is to grow more in love with the Lord each and every day. She yearns to shine with Christ's love for all to see and make a difference in those around her by sharing her heart. Visit Jenn at her blog, A Country Girl's Ramblings.

• Blog