Your Toddler: Make Clean Up Time FUN!
Toddlers love to mimic Mom and Dad so this is a great time to introduce your kid to chores. Believe it or not, she wishes she could do all the dishes and mop the floor just like Mama (maybe not as badly as YOU wish she could). Take advantage of her willingness to help and get her used to doing a few household tasks now, while she still thinks it's cool. Hopefully the habit will become ingrained and you won't be picking her dirty socks off the bathroom floor in 10 years. (Wish we could say the same for Dad. WHY can't that man get his socks in the hamper?) What you're thinking:"Why don't they make mini, toddler-size vacuums that really work?"
Ideally ...
Assign your kid some age-appropriate chores like watering plants, feeding the pets or cleaning up toys. Just know that you can't expect him to do all of his chores all of the time just yet. Who are we kidding, you'll never be able to expect him to do all his chores all of the time ... Read more of Chores for Toddlers!
Really ...
"Of course my kids should put their toys away, but I won't let them. If they did, I'd end up with Legos mixed with building blocks mixed with the princess tea set. It'd be a nightmare to sort out. I might as well do it right the first time and be done with it." Read more of "I Don't Let My Kids Clean Up After Themselves" by MamaMia!
Everything you ever wanted to know and more about toddler chores:
- 14 10-minute cleanup tips!
- 9 easy ways to organize your kid's toys!
- Games to get kids to clean up!
- 7 awesome ways to reward your kid's good behavior!
- How to get your toddler to help clean up!
- Invite your kid to be a do-gooder with this neighborhood trash pickup activity!
- "I find that 'cave man' talk works best to motivate my kids to clean!"
- Check out country music star Jack Ingram's killer reward system!
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All kids grow and develop at different rates. So please don't compare your toddler with so-and-so's from across the street—you'll just drive yourself nuts. If you have any concerns, bring them up with your pediatrician at your kid's next checkup.
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