Lou is increasingly interested in helping out. I read somewhere that getting toddlers to do chores is on a volunteer basis. So I’m trying to make helping out fun so that it just becomes a normal thing and then slowly working in the less fun chores. I am also trying to connect cause and effect into every helping activity. For example, Lou loves potatoes, and she loves playing with water, so I have introduced her to scrubbing potatoes. She loves it and wants to scrub more. I make sure the water is warm and give her a little vegetable scrubber that fits in her hand.

Lou also likes it when I cut a small sponge and have her help clean the counters. With the potatoes she actually gets them clean enough, with the counter it’s more of an exercise for her to move the mess around.

As for toys, when she wants a new toy we mention how the living room is too messy and we should clean it up before we get anything else out. She’s just now taking initiative to put things away, and excited about it for some reason.  

We try to start small when it comes to cleaning help or cooking prep and build on that. I try one step beyond what I think her ability is and take it a step back if it’s too far. And it’s always volunteer. For now!

I have also learned a lot about cleaning with our tween, Nople. She really appreciates how I list our chores and let her have first pick. Then we divvy them up with the rest of the family taking turns picking. Note: She is terrible at them! Not sure how to handle that yet. But the choice really makes a difference. Choices!

I tell you, I think toddlers and teens are remarkably similar.