Tip Tuesday~ Getting Kids to HELP Around the House!

I know I struggle with this EVERYDAY.  I want the HELP of course but then I always say "no I'll do it" knowing I will do a better job and won't have to go over it.  Now what is that teaching my kids....absolutely NOTHING!  So now when I ask for help...I don't get it, I only have myself to blame (but don't tell them that!). 

I picked up this book from Borders " How To Clean Your Home Fast by Vicki Christian" a while back but I had it out and I was looking at it last night.  I came across a great chapter~ Chapter 3- Recruit Your Kids to Help. 

1. Set a GOOD example for your kids "Monkey see, Monkey do". (sounds reasonable)
2. Ease children into doing chores as they grow.  (don't make your 3 year old do laundry--lol..ok got it)
3. Music- play kid's music/favorite songs and they might just surprise you by helping.  (not sure if that would work with my kids- they would be dancing and singing not cleaning- but I get the idea)
4. Use a egg timer to clock each chore as a game.   Reward the kids with the fastest times (ummmm not sure if I like this one due to if they go fast they won't really do a good job. So maybe I can tweak this one into something else like: I can use the egg timer  to do a 15 minute clean-up,  we turn on the music and clean for 15 minutes.)
5. Initiate a NO FOOD NO DRINK policy in the kids room.  ( I do have that policy but my son seems to FORGET that rule when we are sleeping- he is a night time food sneaker and then leaves the evidence either on kitchen table or in room)
6. Plan your kids cleaning routine and STICK TO IT~! (I need to do that)
7. Ask them to help wash, dry, fold and put away a load each day.  Doing this will cut down on the weekend mountain of laundry.  (simple request- haha)

Rewarding~ now I have my pro's and con's about this!  How I was raised is HELP MOM no matter what- You just do it!  A Happy Mom makes a Happy House- is my motto.  As for rewarding- okay if that is what is going to make them help, fine but it has to be something simple- not $$$! Because if I have to pay my kids to help around the house I might as well pay a housecleaning service and then I know it would get done properly.  But then I wouldn't be teaching them any responsibility!  Fine- chore chart with reward stickers will be a must do this week!

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/How-to-Clean-Your-Home-Fast/Vicki-Christian/p/9780696234330

It's $ .99!

How do you get your kids to help around the house???

ALSO~ I was just entering some giveaways and came across this one that I would LOVE to win:

http://www.random-dealz.com/2011/11/chore-pad-app-review-and-giveaway-8.html   as much I want to keep the numbers down so I could win, as a MOM I have to share this giveaway.  If I don't win I will buy it :)

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