wfmw – a cleaning competition

Today’s WFMW has a Cleaning Tip theme. (Excuse me for a minute while I step away to laugh and make something up.)

Ok, I’m back, and I actually do have a tip that works for me : a cleaning competition! I use this little trick when it’s time for a major house cleaning.

I walk around the house and make a list of every little thing that needs to be done. I make it very long and detailed so there are plenty of choices for everyone. I give the kids a minute to look over the list, and then everyone chooses one thing on the list and writes his/her name beside it.

And they’re off!! It is now a race to complete that chore, check it off, and get your name down again beside another task.

We do have a few rules:

• You can only have your name by one task at a time – no dibs on the next.
• The job must be done neatly and correctly.
• Older kids cannot claim all of the easy jobs & leave the hard stuff for the little ones.

My kids love this game because they get to choose what they clean. I love this game because the work gets done quickly with little whining. There is no time for lollygagging about because someone else might claim the job you want next!

Run on over to We Are That Family for tons of great cleaning tips!