Homeschooling can take a lot of time. Then, we have to cook meals, clean the house, and do laundry. Oh, and do the shopping and cart kids around to activities.

It all can seem daunting, but Ginny and Mary Ellen share their proven solution: Take some of those chores off our plates and put them smack on the kids' plates.

Program Notes:

1. Start early - really early! As soon as they can walk.

• When you change a diaper, have the baby put it in the trash.
• When toddlers change their clothes, teach them to put dirty clothes in the hamper.
• Finishing up play time, have them stow their toys in the toy box or bin.

As they get older, but still preschool age:

• Insist that they clear their cups and plates after meals.
• They can put away clean silverware from the dishwasher.
• Teach them to tidy up.
• All of this is easier if you get an early start to the day.

2. Teach them all the necessary life skills

• Begin to teach them to do every household chore.
• Primary-grade kids can load a dishwasher while their older siblings rinse the dishes.
• They can empty it while you or older kids put away stuff in high cabinets.

Other little guy chores

• Dust furniture and run a vacuum.
• Empty room trash.
• Teach them how to do their laundry.

As they get older

• Teach them how to clean kitchens and baths
• Teach them how to operate a lawn mower safely and shovel walks.
• Teach them to follow a recipe and prepare meals.
• Make sure after-prep cleanup is included in the lesson.
• Before they leave for college, your children should be ready to run a household.

3. Assign specific tasks and make them regular responsibilities.

• Some parents use a "chore chart" route.
• The advantage is different children can learn various tasks over some time.
• The disadvantage is you have to remember to keep the chart updated

4. Don't allow them to treat adults or siblings like unpaid help.

• Do not allow your children to leave the table and dash off to play video games.
• Or, for that matter, dash off to do schoolwork.
• When dinner is finished, we all help clean up or get the little ones ready for bed.
• Perhaps taking out the trash.

5. Let them suffer the consequences of their actions or inactions.

• Teach the kids to do their laundry – if they forget - that's their problem.
• In the real adult world, no one else comes to clean, cook, or do laundry for you.
• Our kids need to be given responsibility.
• Too many are going to college without knowing how to fry an egg.

Homeschooling Resources

Seton Home Study School

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