Top 10 ways to get chores done while hanging out with your kids.
Ever wonder how to keep a schedule and manage to get stuff done. I am the worst person to give advice but I know how it should work. Here are my top 10 ways to kill 2 birds with one stone.
- If you have a toddler but can never seem to get the dishwasher unloaded without a chase or 2, then ask them to help you unload the dishwasher with you. It has really helped to ask my toddler to unload the Tupperware while I unload the silverware.
- Bath time can be so much fun! But you can also clean the bathroom as long as you run the exhaust fan to keep fumes down while your little one is playing with the bath toys.
- Stirring and cooking can be a job for 2. Invite your kids to help you cook dinner so that you don’t have to worry about what they are destroying when you aren’t supervising.
- Bad Parenting skill but huge time saver!!! Pop in a video at the same time each day or let them watch a certain show each day and you get a load of laundry done. Tell them that they can’t get off the couch until Dora is done. That way you have 20 minutes to get a chore done without worrying about them.
- Have teenagers around from church? See if they want to have a play date each week. I have a wonderful young lady that loves to play with my daughter each week. I offer to pay her but she won’t take any money because she is just playing. I get a TON done during those short minutes.
- Do you work on your computer a lot but can’t find the time? My daughter will only nap well when she is in the car or on my lap, so I get most of my computer work done when she is napping in her car seat. I just pull up to the door and use my wireless access to work in the car. You can also pull up to a café that has free wireless and work in the parking lot.
- Teach your kids to clean their toys early. This will keep you from having to do it before bedtime. I am currently working on this one. The toys should be put up about 30 minutes before bedtime. That way, the kids aren’t too tired to help and you don’t have to fight them.
- Books. Do your kids like to read? When you are trying to clean up the kids rooms, make them sit and read a book. That way, you aren’t putting toy A up while they are getting out toys B and C.
- Go outside. This might sound silly and easy but it is the only toy that is always free and easy to clean up. It takes the energy out of a rambunctious child and you get to be the hero for playing with them. It can be a couple of hours of playtime with no clean up time. As long as you don’t count the extra laundry.
- Share responsibility. I loved it last night when my wonderful husband put her to bed. That way I could get a relaxing shower and have a little me time. Don’t forget to have a little me time. Every other kind of time just goes smoother when you have me time.
So there are some helpful tips to take care of 2 things at once and feel like you are getting a lot done without twice the effort. Hope this helps you get inspired to have fun with your kids while getting chores done. Which one will be your hardest to do? Which one do you already do?
Tags: housekeepingRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Top 10 lists, bathroom, cleaning
15 opinions for Top 10 ways to get chores done while hanging out with your kids.
Alexis
Mar 9, 2007 at 11:53 am
What a great list!! I will definetely try some of these.
kellys
Mar 9, 2007 at 2:49 pm
Thanks, Alexis. I am always looking at ways to save time and play with my little girl at the same time. I’m just too lazy to have to do both at different imes. There just doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day.
OrangeBanana
Mar 31, 2007 at 11:05 pm
I have a little bit different idea for #4.
Instead of turning on the television while doing laundry, set aside a small pile of doll clothes, or washcloths, or something of the like for you child to help “fold”. Teaches them responsibility as well as lets you spend time with your child. I also let my daughter help me put clothes in the washer, and help me hang them (or put them in the dryer when one is available. Just a small suggestion.
Vote For Hot Stuff | GNMParents - Parenting Tips, News, Discussions, And Diatribes
Jun 5, 2007 at 9:56 am
[…] from Thrifty Mommy shares 10 ways to Get Chores Done While Hanging Out With Your Kids. This list might appeal to those of you who actually have a to-do list, as well as those of you who […]
Stu Mark
Jun 5, 2007 at 9:58 am
This post has been nominated for a Hot Stuff Of The Week at our site, GNMParents. Good luck in the voting!
Karen
Jun 5, 2007 at 12:28 pm
Congratulations Kelly!!!! :D
Ann at mommysecrets
Jun 5, 2007 at 12:54 pm
Great ideas!! I just linked to your post from my blog. :)
Here are a couple more ideas:
Dishwasher: my toddler puts up the kid’s bowls/plates, my preschooler puts away the silverware, and I put away the rest. With all of us working, it’s a 3-4 minute chore.
Laundry: my toddler helps me sort the laundry into piles, my preschooler sorts and matches socks, and I fold clothes as my toddler hands them to me.
Toys: we try to follow the rule of “one set of toys out per person”. My preschooler has this down pat, but it’s a battle to win the attention of my toddler.
Gardening: the kids fill up buckets to water plants, while I do the majority of watering with the hose.
Breakfast: my preschooler helps get a cold breakfast ready for his little brother, while I feed the baby. It sounds little, but it’s a huge help!
Stephanie
Jun 29, 2007 at 10:58 pm
I do much the same with my 2 kids. Another thing I do is have one of those floor sweepers to use instead of the vacuum for small messes. It’s safe enough that even my 2 year old can push it around and clean up crumbs and such he spilled on the floor. He loves doing that.
Monday Morning Link Love
Jul 30, 2007 at 9:32 am
[…] Thrifty Mommy - 10 ways to get chores done while hanging out with your kids. […]
Just in Case You Missed It
Aug 12, 2007 at 1:53 am
[…] 10 Ways to Get Chores Done While Hanging Out with the Kids (congratulations, Kelly!) […]
Jenny
Aug 19, 2007 at 8:13 pm
Definately a cool list. I’m gonna try some of these too.
traci
Nov 15, 2007 at 10:01 am
I have no problem with #4. I wouldn’t get a thing done around the house without a little Dora and Diego! =)
Maintenance is the key to time management
Jan 2, 2008 at 3:07 pm
[…] worst when it comes to time management and housecleaning. I have already talked about ways to get chores done while hanging out with your kids so let me give you a few more ways to save time and still get to hang out with your […]
Top 20 ways to save time while cleaning your home
Mar 21, 2008 at 8:43 am
[…] Find ways to clean with your kids. […]
101 Helpful Thrifty Mommy Articles
May 23, 2008 at 6:30 am
[…] 10 Ways to Get Chores Done While Hanging Out with Your Kids […]
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: