Household Chores with a 2-Y-o

I work full time outside of my home and I am a single parent - so the stresses of finding time to clean is something I completely understand.

My daughter is about to be 18 mos and she "helps" me clean. She has her own mini vaccum cleaner that she uses while I vaccum and when I am doing dishes she sits on the counter next to me with a few small toys or I give her a new sponge to "help" do the dishes with. She likes to put clothes in the washer and dryer with me (we play basketball - she thinks its hilarious). She also likes to "help fold" the laundry. Drives me crazy and it takes a lot longer to have her help - but it occupies her, keeps her from flipping out about it and half the time she gets bored and goes off to read one of her books while I finish. But majority of my work gets done while she is asleep. That way I wake up to a clean house and when I get home at the end of the day it is still clean.

I try to find things so my son can help me, but sometimes he cant so while i do the dishes i put him in his highchair right next to me and let him color. i buy rolls of fax paper and tape it to the tray. drums on the pots and pans with a spoon works well too. good luck

Dear M.!
First of all, you have to bye him a Playmobil toys. They are pretty expensive but it was the best investment I ever made, because it keeps kids busy for hours. Also you have to
ask your cool guy (or other family members -friends)to take a boy for a walk (to the farm, indoor playground...)and finish your chores when he is out of the house.

Hi M.,

If it helps, my 19 month old helps to load the laundry into the washer and carry a few pieces here and there. If I have to fold while he is awake, I give him towels to "fold." I try to do most of that during his nap though. If I have kitchen chores, I usually do it while he is finishing breakfast in his high chair or I put him in his high chair and let him color or fingerpaint, that way I can interact with him. He likes to "Help" with the dishwasher, but that is usually not so "helpful" so I try to avoid it.

Danielle.

My husband and I both run home-based businesses. While we are working in the office our daughter plays in the same room. For phone calls one of us keeps her quiet and/or takes her out of the room.
I love to clean and our daughter (now 30 months) has enjoyed simple chores since she was about 18 months old. She helps us throw papers in the trash, puts her dirty clothes in the hamper and loves playing with a dust cloth and will 'dust' anything and everything within her reach. She also tries to mop and vacuum too.
Maybe your son could do some dusting, or try picking up laundry/toys.

Let him help! you can give him a job to help mommy so chores get done quicker. Washing the table with a sponge is fun, dust pan and a small broom works well too. Kids love to help make sure you thank him he will so proud of himself!!!!!

I work at a daycare I have 10 3year old kids in my class you would be amazed at what they do to help. I'm also a mother of 4 kids ages 12 to 26. ALso a very proud grandma of a 1 year old!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi,
I have the same problem with my 18 month old son. It's so hard to get things done around the house because he's into everything and climbs on everything. I also work part time as a college professor. The only time to plan lessons or anything is when he's sleeping which is for about 1-2 in the afternoon. My husband feels that he could get everything done around the house with the baby and makes me feel guilty. Sorry I don't have more advice, but I can empathize with you.

He is to the point now where I can put him in front of the tv to watch a cartoon while I'm doing dishes. Also, he likes to sweep. So he tries to help with that. When I vacuum, he has to go in the crib.

I have a 21 mo old and we do things similar to others who have answered. Breakfast and lunch gets cleaned up following the meal, usually. That's the routine. So she is used to it. Sometimes she wants a book or something before I do it and that is fine, but I cannot stand to leave dirty dishes around so they don't sit for ages. I am flexible with her and never ignore her and isolate her if she is just insistant on my attention but it is usually not an issue.

I try to make laundry into something fun. "Let's do the laundry!" She "helps me sort (often taking piles allover the house) and I lift her up to put the clothes in the washer. She puts them in the dryer too (from the door anyway). She is very unhelpful with the folding as she constantly takes my piles and carries them aroudn the house. LOL. She LOVES to sweep and has a small broom. That keeps her busy while I sweep. She also likes to hold onto the vacuum. Again, I start all these things with "Let's do x" in an excited voice like it's cool.

One thing that really helped with cooking is a Learning Tower. She is up at the counter and either "helps" me put ingredients in a bowl or amuses herself with a drawer of measuring spoons and cups. She can see what is going on so she doesn't constantly ask me to pick her up to see what I am doing and she feels involved. She absolutely LOVES to make bread with me for some reason.

Generally, she is fine amusing herself for a few minutes while I do a quick task. If it is something really involved, I find a way to include her or don't do it while she is awake.

I think alot of moms nowadays feel that they need to spend every second of every day entertaining their kids. Kids need to play alone, to explore without someone telling how every single thing works. I hardly remember my mom playing "with" me! She may have stuck an outfit on a barbie I couldn't do or sat out side while I rode a bike for a bit, maybe in the evening played a memory game etc., but that was it. I played on my own using my imagination. Pull some "lost" toys out of the toybox and let him play, give him some crayons at the table or stick sesame street on and get your things done, and stop feeling guilty! Youre a good mom, so give yourself a break and don't freak yourself out about having a constant eye on him. Good luck! ( mom of 2 and 6 yr old girls!)

One of the things my sons loved to do at this age was play "grocery store". They'd sit on the floor in the kitchen, and open one of the cupboards where we keep cereal boxes, soup cans, jello, etc. They'd take them out, stack them, put them back, etc. That would entertain them a lot. Another thing they liked to do was "cook". I'd set a large stock pot on the floor, and give them some dry macaroni or spaghetti (that you won't use again), give them a wooden spoon, and let them "cook" some soup. Sometimes we'd throw interesting things into the pot like a rock or two. Rock Soup. Another thing they liked to do was play with empty muffin tins. I'd give them a few different kinds of things in the muffin tin cups, and they'd move them all around. Make sure of course that none of these things are choking hazards. But the idea is to keep the child where you can keep an eye on them, while keeping them busy enough so you can get some work done! Good luck!

I agree with Tammy. My son just REALLY likes to help mommy. He comes up and says "I help you?" How do you say no? I let him have a turn with the vaccuum, and sliding the yard stick under the couch to get toys out, he loves it. In fact so much, that he wanted a toy vaccuum of his own so he can do his room while mommy does the living room.
Just let him help! If it's something he can't be around, try nap time cleaning or the high chair deally.
This is the greatest age for the big helper. We should all love it, 'cause we're not gonna get them this eager again! :)

Hi M. C.

I have been a stay at home mom for a very long time. I have found that letting the children be little helpers, worked in our home. Give him simple things that are easy to correct if need be. Remember patience is a virtue. ( They can match socks as they come out of the dryer, fold face cloths, wash full length mirrors, bottom portion of course, dust the coffee table, etc.)

Always make them responsibe for putting things back where they go when finished reading, coloring, toys etc.

Two is a tough age to keep entertained for more than three or four minutes. It is a good idea to have some sort of an award for accomplishments....a chart with stickers workes well. Be sure to praise for work well done. Always brag to others how good a helper he is..."when he can hear you". Children like to to be appreciated.

When helping mom they learn responsibility as well as motor skills.

Note: Be sure the little helpers are not using harsh toxic chemicals. Be sure to read the labels, and research the ingredients. I believe you will find that most we should not have in your homes. Many trigger cancer cells to activate and cause many skin and eye irritations, astma, ADD & many other health issues. It is recommended, not to clean around children, their systems are still developing and it could be harmful to them as well as you.

I took all of the harsh chemicals out of my house two years ago so I don't have to worry. I can teach responsibility, as well as keep my home a happier healthier place to live.

There are safer alternatives out there. I actually have safe products delivered to my door. I never have to worry about what I let them use while helping mom.

As far as working from home....Begin a quiet time.... can be worked in..as a "rule"..Maybe a color time. Office work can be fun too, get him a calculator or computer, pad and pencil. for quiet play....Start rules early... when the phone rings it is mandatory to be very quiet.

Play groups are fun for little ones, nap time is a good time to work, as well as quality time with dad, grandparents, etc., while mom works in the office.

I sure hope this has helped you.

L. M. Gratton
www.successbuiltfromhome.com
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Hi M.,

These days it seems that parents are hesitant to put their little ones in a playpen now known as a Pac n Play. However, it is the best way to keep your child protected when you need to get chores done. I used to just put toys and books in it to keep my little ones occupied and since they were able to be in the same room or rooms with me, I could chat with him, sing songs, and give them attention while getting my work done and know that they were safe from vacuuming cords, household cleaners, etc., that I was using. While making dinner I would do the same and let him sample foods, give hugs and whatever for attention. Kids just want to be close to you wherever you are and using a Pac n Play can be a good way to do this and protect him from harm at the same time. It's a simple measure and certainly does not hurt the child psychologically as some seem to believe.

I am a grandmother of 4 and admit that my own children did not make good use of the Pac n Play other than for sleeping purposes when they stayed in other people's homes. If they did so most likely it would have kept them more organized and less stressed.

I also have a 2yr old, not to mention a 8yr old. I am a SAHM too, but honestly, I dont know where the time goes. There is so much to be done and so little time. I've really been a bit overwhelmed lately with the chores. I've been trying different things and for me right now. My child goes to bed by 7pm-ish ... So I take the time at dinner to throw in a load of laundry, then from about 7:30 to 9pm I run like crazy around the house, putting away the laundry, and just cleaning up anything and everything I can til 9pm. Then I am done, I can relax and watch the 9pm shows, not to mention when I get up in the am, things are already clean. She naps for 1 1/2hrs or so, so I just do a little more then. Hope these ideas help some?
Good Luck

My little guy likes to push around the dry mop and LOVES the swiffer duster! Or I pull out the plastic bowls, whisks and spoons and let him play chef in the kitchen. It's hard, because it doesn't last long, so only bite off a few chores at a time...

I'm a SAHM as well. To get things done around the house My 2 year old uses the computer -it takes a bit but once she learned how to use the mouse she went nuts with it-- The site i use is www.starfall.com or the fisher price site. that can keep her busy for almost 2 hours if i let it. I also "make" her play by herself. If she starts to scream she goes in her crib. The cycle goes on until she plays by herself. I have a 17 month old and a baby on the way as well... so there is no way i could have her on top of me all the time. Rotating toys also helps with the playing by herself thing. There are only 3 toys out at one time and they get rotated weekly -- so there is always something new to play with (it also helps with the toy clutter).

The best thing for me is to include them in whatever chore I am doing.Let them clean tables etc. with diaper wipes.They are safe for them and they enjoy helping.
Also let them have a turn with the vacuum.I have a 4 year old and 21 month old and I find letting them be my little helpers makes the day of work time better for us all.Yes it takes alot longer doing stuff but we are all together and having fun and keeping up with the chores.
Let them learn to help make the bed and sing the team work song and the clean up song.This really works for me.
Good Luck.

Hi there,
always a challenge isn't it? one trick i discovered when my daughter was around 18 months, and now use for my son also, is to put them in their highchair, in just a diaper, in the kitchen and give them a few spoons, measuring cups, whatever, w/ a little water. it usually buys me 15-20 minutes of kitchen time (make dinner, clean)
also, i have discovered i can clean the bathrooom fairly quickly while they are in the tub.
good luck!
L.

I let my 15 month old do chores w/ me. He sits on the counter and plays w/ the plastic cups when i do dishes. He has a little broom and mini vac to use and he also helps me take things in and out of the wash. I also have a six yr. old that helps by playing w/ his little brother when I have a lot to get done. I found that classical music playing on the computer and he watches the screen change helps keep him busy too. When you clean your kitchen try giving your 2 yr old a squirt bottle filled w/ water and a towel or rag to wipe down the windows. My little guy loves it.

I work from home with a three year old, and we have cleaning games. He has a water squirt bottle and a towel and cleans the windows for me... then I come in right after him and have "my turn" cleaning them. He speed races to pick stuff off the floor so the vacuum doesn't get them. Disney time for him is when I get a lot of cleaning done, I can clean the whole house top to bottom during Toy Story lol.

For work time, I do alot while he naps and he knows when I pull out his blocks, legos or certain toys he needs to play for a while. Just keep reminding him its mommas work time and go play. It will be hard at first, but don't give in and get up - he won't stop bugging you if he knows you'll eventually cave in.

I'm a SAHM to a 2 year old and totally understand - even being home it's hard to get the chores done in one day. I have always had my son involved in cleaning up. Usually I have a set time after breakfast that I cleanup the kitchen. Since he was little that is what I've always done so he is used to that - he will go off and play with some of his toys or just remain in the kitchen with me talking. As far as other chores, I have a task each day to get done (i.e, cleaning the bathroom, dusting, vacuuming) and I only do one of them. Doing one chore each day (aside from cleaning up the kitchen) is so much easier and less daunting. Laundry is done everyday in the morning and usually after supper or during nap, I will fold. Most of the time I prep dinner during his nap and get it started after his nap in the afternoon (by that point, he's recharged to play with his toys or an activity I have planned for him). My point is that we've established a routine together and he knows what to expect. Many times I'll have him right along with me cleaning up messes and giving his a small broom to help out. The other day he helped me clean the bathub and he LOVED it - homemade non-toxic cleaner by the way...lol.

All this to say, involving little children to your daily tasks is great to get them used to it and after awhile it's really fun!

Oh and I remember an elderly woman telling me that you're not a clown and need to entertain your children all day. Good advice!