Yesterday, we had a Clean-a-thon.
We do these every few weeks. It’s basically a morning full of chores, but we try to put a fun spin on it to pass the time & keep spirits high. The boys each have a few assigned chores, and then they get to compete for a few additional tasks that involve rewards in the form of cash or video game time.
We do these every few weeks. It’s basically a morning full of chores, but we try to put a fun spin on it to pass the time & keep spirits high. The boys each have a few assigned chores, and then they get to compete for a few additional tasks that involve rewards in the form of cash or video game time.
Yesterday:
Whoever could stand on one leg the longest
got to wipe down all of the countertops, for $2.
Whoever won the laughing contest
cleaned all of the mirrors and glass doors, for $3.
Whoever beat the other in an arm wrestling match
cleaned all of the windowsills, for $1.
Whoever won the egg toss
got to beat the rugs, for $2.
At one point during the clean-a-thon, one of the boys made a comment about how long it was taking. Later in the day, the same boy had a negative attitude about something else. I don’t know the details of the situation, because I only heard bits & pieces of the conversation floating up the stairs.
But at the end of his speech, I heard Chris say,
“…because you’re a part of this family.”
“…because you’re a part of this family.”
End of story. We didn’t have any more issues after that.
Our kids get it.
They know we’ve got something special going on, and they want to be a part of it. Only one of them knows that there’s Someone bigger orchestrating it all, but the rest of them will catch on someday. In the meantime, I count it all joy to watch these kids being refined. The lessons they’re living & learning now? Some adults have yet to catch onto this stuff. It is so tender, so precious.
By the time the boys are out of the house, they’ll have over a decade of homemaking experience. And when the word gets out to the ladies that these young men know how to change diapers? Good gracious!
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7 Comments
love this post! my oldest boy is 6 and i am already teaching him how to cook and clean the kitchen. he asked why? i said because it will make you a good husband, end of story.
Love the system you guys have going! And it’s encouraging – hopefully there will be more and more of these boys being raised into men like this (I have a daughter)!
I LOVED this post! A family is a team, that is for sure! We play “Game Show” when we clean house, something similar to what yall do but I like incorporating the games and prizes with the chores, totally going to have to try this!
I don’t know what I like better, the clean-a-thon games or “because you’re a part of this family.” Both are wonderful. It is evident that your family absolutely has something great going. Love, love, love!
I love the idea of having the boys compete for tasks and the reward..so smart. Definitely keeping this idea in my arsenal. Also love that you’re teaching your kids the value of hardworking and doing it as a family, definitely something I think more kids could afford to know.
I’m sorry but this is genious! I love the tasks, they make cleaning worth a laugh and a smile. Such a great attitude from your kids. I can’t wait to try out things like this when my kid is older. So inspiring.
this is exactly what I want to feature in my new weekly meme. would you play? it is an uplift for the end of the week, either something great that happened, or something awesome you did as a mom to make an impression on your kids. I think this is a perfect example. http://www.lifeisnotbubblewrapped.com/2011/09/28/just-fishin-aka-fist-pump-fridays/