Any parent will testify how difficult it can be to get their kids to tidy up after themselves. It can feel like mission impossible trying to keep the family home clean and organised. However, it really doesn’t have to be like this.
There are ways to teach good habits in your kids. This won’t just help you to keep the home more organised, it will also help your kids to turn into well-adjusted adults. So, how exactly can you create good habits for your kids around the home?
Have realistic expectations
Before you start trying to teach your kids good habits, it’s important to have realistic expectations. Remember, they are inexperienced and so they are bound to make mistakes along the way. They don’t learn at the same rate as an adult and depending upon their age, they may have limitations you need to factor in.
As long as your expectations aren’t unrealistic, you should find it easier to teach your kids good habits.
Cleaning up their own space
One of the first and most basic habits you can teach around the home, is for your kids to tidy their own space. Even toddlers can start to learn this lesson by teaching them how to put away their toys for example.
If they get into the habit of cleaning up their own space, it will make their adult life a lot easier, plus you will have one less thing to worry about.
Putting their things away
Similar to the point above, it’s important to teach your kids how to put their things away. This isn’t just cleaning up their own space, it’s about ensuring they follow the rule around the whole house. So, it could be hanging their coats up when they’ve taken them off, or putting their shoes away neatly.
Again, this isn’t just a good habit they can develop, it makes your life easier too as the home will be a lot less cluttered.
Be sure to reward good habits
As your kids start to learn good habits, don’t forget to reward them. Children on thrive on rewards and are far more likely to maintain the good habits if they receive them. It helps to boost motivation and provides an incentive for the good habit, especially when they are only just starting to change.
However, you need to make sure you aren’t rewarding them with anything materialistic or unhealthy. It’s best to reward them with praise, a hug or some other kind of affection.
The above is just some of the ways to help your kids develop good habits around the home. The earlier you start to teach them, the easier and faster they’ll pick up the good habit.
*Collaborative post