trying to get chores done is impossibe!

Gemma - posted on 05/01/2011

My son Madison is 3, when I am busy I give him a damp cloth and a spray bottle with plain water in it, to spray and wipe the kitchen cupboard doors he thinks he is very cleaver (the real cleaning products are in a locked cupboard), it keeps him busy so I can get on.

Suearz - posted on 05/01/2011

My 4 year old used to be like that until started to have her help me now i cant get rid of her trying to help and it drives me nuts especially when she wants to help take care of her baby sister. But she likes to help and its a good thing so i just deal with it.

Chrystina - posted on 05/01/2011

Yeah this is the age I start introducing them to the wonderful world of helping mommy with the chores. My 20 month old has a few jobs, one is to help with laundry. He loves to put the pile of clothes in, move them over and hand them to me from the dryer. He feels like a big boy and it helps get things done, as well as set in motion the pattern for his work ethic later. He helps his older brother clear the table, his job is to "throw" the forks and spoons in the sink. I have to make sure there is nothing breakable in the sink at all times but he loves it. He loves to throw the new baby's diapers in the trash. And he also likes to help sweep and mop. Things take longer when he is helping me, yes. But I know that it is worth it as he is learning.
Is my house perfect? NO! But we do the best we can.
I think the real issue is the frustration at having a little one strapped to your side. I know it is frustrating to have them by your side every second, and it takes a lot of work to break that. We went through that as well. But really encourage no matter how much he cries that you do get private bathroom time. Then pick something else in a few weeks to do alone. Good luck! It does get better and it is nice to have a child that wants to be with you... but when it is too much it is hard.

OhJessie - posted on 05/01/2011

First off, employ her help - she can't fold clothes properly (my daughter folded each single sock lol) but she can still help. Good practice for getting her in the habit anyway. Second, consider a sling for the off-chore times.

Stevie - posted on 05/01/2011

What a great idea! My daughter is a cleaner...she loves getting wet wipes out and cleaning up her marker messes or she spits on the floor and then gets a towel!

Thanks for sharing, I'm going to try that out!

Nicole - posted on 04/28/2011

I agree. Have him help! I have a 2 year old that loves to help! Of course she would rather jump and play on our bed versus fold the clothes but she's good at putting the hangers in the shirts I hold out for her. She helps take the clean dishes out the the dishwasher(I get the knives and stuff I don't want her to hold out first), she puts clothes in the washer and dryer, recently she's picked up wiping things down...don't know where she got that. Even shopping she likes to push the cart or have a "customer in training" cart for herself. At this age, if you let them or show them...they want to help, they want to learn. My daughter knows to come with me to the bathroom because I don't like leaving her alone that far away for too long but she has bathtub toys to play with while I'm "doing my thing" and when I say "all done" she knows to put everything back and it's time to go. Good luck.

Cyndel - posted on 04/28/2011

Have him help, give him a wash cloth to 'fold' for mommy. Talk to him about big boys and big girls go potty in the potty (a head start on potty training if you haven't started yet) or have him sit on a training potty while you go. My son loves to help me get ready for vacuuming, if you have hard floors and sweep most of them then get him a kids broom and give him a certain area to 'sweep' for you. Don't let him just sit and watch and whine, teach him to help and pitch in. It is a good habit to have, learning to help around the house, one that you will be glad you took the time to teach, and his future wife will adore you later for it, lol!

Stevie - posted on 04/27/2011

When I read the topic title, I smiled because I feel like this every day. My daughter will climb a child gate to get to the bathroom if I'm in there. She loves to walk between my legs, its impossible to do very much but I know its a phase but for whatever reason she needs her mama there and I'm happy to oblige even if it leaves me with a late night of chores!

Good luck! Emily is right it will pass!

Emily - posted on 04/27/2011

the advice that my mother gave me about that, because my 17 month old isthe same way, "this to shall pass, it's a phase. soon he wont think that your so interesting." lol. but she's right.imean im here and im a functioning adult. lol.