By turning cleaning into a daily routine, it’s possible for a family to fit these important tasks into their overall plan – and make cleaning quicker and easier, too.
- Ask your child to help you come up with a chore assignment plan. By taking ownership, they will be more engaged and feel as if they are part of the solution.
- Assign a family member to each specific cleaning task. Each person can hold multiple responsibilities, such as taking out the trash and doing the dishes. Tasks can rotate weekly, too.
- Create a weekly schedule or cleaning wheel that rotates every month to show which family member’s turn it is to help with a certain task, like sweeping or folding laundry.
- Have your child straighten up his/her room at a certain time every day – right after school or before bed are two good times to choose.
- The last person out of the shower should spray shower/tub walls with a daily cleanser, or squeegee shower walls and doors every day. Using a disinfectant spray each day can can prevent the growth of mold and mildew in showers and tubs.
- Clean the kitchen sink every day. Don’t forget to clean cutting boards that are used with raw meats, poultry and seafood.
- Wipe down the kitchen and bathroom counters with a disinfecting wipe every night before bed – moist surfaces breed more germs than dry surfaces.
- Keep incoming mail and homework papers organized. Go through the mail daily, and toss, take action on or file each piece. Empty backpacks daily to get rid of debris, replenish hand sanitizer and tissues as needed, and sign any necessary papers/permission slips.
- Set up a box or bin for “items to donate” and regularly add the toys, clothes and other items you are no longer using to keep clutter minimized.
Keeping Kids Healthy
In addition to germ prevention and immunization, there are additional basic things your child can do to stay healthy. By being in general good health, your child will be better equipped to fight off germs and prevent illness like colds and flu.
Help your child to follow these general healthy tips:
- Get plenty of sleep. Make sure your child is well-rested for school. Nine to ten hours of sleep per night is a healthy amount for a typical child.
- Eat nutritious foods. A healthful diet will not only keep your child strong and better able to fight off illness, but it will also help to prevent childhood obesity, a national problem that can put a child at risk for a number of health issues.
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