"I help you, cuz you my big boy, wight Mom?"  He's six years old now, but even when he was two and three, he knew he was my big boy.  He knew his help was valuable. 

"I'm the clothcloth (wash cloth) girl, right Mom?" She proudly asks as she carefully folds all the wash cloths and stacks them neatly in a pattern that makes perfect sense to her two-year-old self. 

"Thshss! Thshss!" he insists as he grabs his diaper and heads to the trash can, cheering as he dunks it in. 

Let's face the facts.  Cleaning is not my forte.  I enjoy having things clean in the rare moment that they are, but it's certainly not something I prioritize. 

Great thing for me is that all four of my children have enjoyed helping around the house with different chores.  I figure I may as well work myself out of a job and teach my children how to take over while they're willing! 

Here's what I've learned while teaching my children to clean.

1.  Let them.

I know, bold statement, but here's the thing.  When it comes right down to it, I can get the job done faster and better on my own.  Right now.  With small children, though, it's important to look past the immediate and focus on the big picture.  Some effort and training now can reap huge benefits when they are washing windows all by their little lonesome... someday. 

2.  Everyone can (and should) pitch in. 

Even my 1 year old can toss his own diapers and pull clothes out of the laundry basket for me to fold.  Two year olds can fold wash clothes and match their socks.  Give your kids some credit and find a job (or two) for everyone. 

3.  We clean because we live here.

It's important to us that our children understand we're a team.  For our family unit to function in a home that isn't falling apart, we all have to pitch in.  There doesn't need to be a reward for everything. 

4.  Rewards motivate. 

My eight year old daughter has been a cleaning machine lately.  She has in her head that she wants to buy an ipod touch.  It's a lofty goal, and one that will take lots and lots of work and earning, but we sat down and made a list of extra chores she could take on and assigned a monetary value to them.  I've had some help getting things done around here and she sees her savings growing.  Win - Win!   

5.  Praise motivates. 

No one likes to try hard at something and not be thanked for it.  Worse yet, to have it redone "the right way" after you've finished a task is a downer.  No, my children don't fold clothes the way I fold clothes, but the key here is that my children fold clothes!  There are often still a few crumbs on the floor when they finish sweeping, but... they sweep the floor!  Yes, the chore should be well done, but if they are trying, sometimes "good enough" deserves a "Great job!" 

Training them to clean now will work me out of a job later.  I'm counting on it! 

Raise your hand if you'd like a cleaning break.  {Amy raises her hand and waves wildly.}  Want to hand over cleaning to the experts? Tell us how you have taught and encouraged your kids to clean and be entered to win one of two prizes!

• First Prize:  House Cleaner for a day plus $100 in product from GreatCleaners.com.
• Second Prize: A Copy of the Book Over 100 Helpful Household Hints

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