Cleaning is an important part of owning a home, but it can get overwhelming during the spring when you embark on your annual ritual of scrubbing and de-cluttering the entire house. As much as your kids probably hate the idea of helping out, you may want to consider getting them involved.
"Sit down and talk with the family," Kelly McGrath of The Children's Workshop told Rhode Island news site WPRI.com. "Let's say we really want to get the garage cleaned out. Now how are you going to get the kids involved, how are you going to get them excited about it, how are you going to make it fun?"
Here are some tips to keep in mind for including your children in your spring cleaning:
Give them options – Perhaps there is a variety of tasks you need completed. No matter who is doing what, it needs to get done, so why not give your young ones a say in how they can help you out? This will help make them feel more involved and give them a sense of ownership over certain chores.
Reward them – Offering up incentives is a great way to get your kids on board with these activities. Before they get started, let them know that there's something to be working toward.
Turn it into a game – This may take a little bit of creativity, but coming up with ways to make clearing out the closet or washing the windows fun will make the whole experience more enjoyable for you and your little ones.
For people who suffer from allergies and asthma, there are special products that can ensure you don't have a negative reaction while cleaning out your home this spring. However, since these chores can stir up allergens such as pollen, mold and pet dander, it's also a good idea to wear a respirator mask during the process to prevent these irritants from getting into your lungs.
