Knowing When To Let Kids Help

Being a mother is a great feeling, sometimes.  I look at my children and I am amazed.  Like today, my oldest got up and made his bed ( yes he is 4 1/2 and it is not the way I like it but I have to let him do it...and yes it took me saying go make your bed but he did it and that is all that matters).  Then he got himself dressed.  I am so proud of him and being able to do that. 

 

My son's version of making his bed

My little guy helped me clean up the living room so that I could vaccum.  It tripled the time it would have taken me to do it myself, but I let him help.  I have learned while it is so much quicker, and neater to do things myself, allowing my children to have a part in what I am doing is so important.

Seeing the sense of pride and accomplishment when they finish a small task that I ask them to do is such a good feeling.  Now to go along with that - learning how to give up control is a different story.  I have only 24 hours in a day, the same as everyone else and finding the time to do everything is impossible.  Now I can do the cleaning and everything myself, and it would save me time, but what am I teaching my children?

I also have realised that, as the sign that my son gave me from preschool for mother's day said - If my house was any cleaner I would be neglecting my children, and that is true.  I do the essentials, and a little more but my focus is on my children.  I do what I can, and I am proud to say my house is pretty clean for 2 boys.  I know I can do more, but the fact is if I were to do more then I would not have any time to play with my children, or any time for me!

Boys and using the potty

Today was the first day I wished I had girls!  Cleaning up after boys is gross
I am so sick and tired of my bathroom smelling so bad.  Yes I know it is not going to smell pretty, but it has a strong smell of urine. 
I have been cleaning and cleaning it and nothing seems to get rid of the odor.  I finally convinced my husband to help me take off the toilet seat. 
He swore to me that it was not the problem.  That it did not smell bad in there.  That it was all in my head. 
Well he took off the screws, and I was right, there was pee there.  It was not only dried on but it dripped out.  I know gross... and let me tell you it was.  So I scrubbed, and scrubbed.  I "flossed" a wipe under the bowl and the seat of the toilet.  I scrubbed everything so and made sure that I got everything.
It is amazing how much better it smells in there.  It is not perfect, but better.  I just can not figure out where else he hit.  I have scrubbed the entire bathroom.  The only thing I have not done is drained the toilet and taken it apart to clean it.  But that just might be next.

What were we doing?

Well I wonder can my children help me clean? Why is it that when you start to clean up they do well, then get distracted? How can you keep them on track? Is it that much to ask for to pick up your toys? I guess it is.