I know men (and boys) have the majority of their work outside the home. Earning a living for their family, fixing up the home they live in, or repairing the truck they roar around in.
But is there a time to teach young boys housework? Is it needful?
Some may think it is demeaning to a boy’s manly ego to have to clean toilets, but I believe that, if nothing else, it teaches them one monumental fact of life. For every mess a person makes, someone has to clean it up!
Besides, I like to tell myself while in the midst of teaching my boys to bake chocolate chip cookies, that someday their wife will thank me. So, in essence, I’m trying to make myself look good in my future daughter-in-law’s eyes. Now don’t you laugh, because it may just be your daughter!
I know I’m not the only mom to do this, but here is our little version of cleaning day in our home – stinky pots and all. (We may get to the cooking one later.)
Week 1: Boys – put on gloves ( I even hate to clean yellow puddles with no gloves on)
Boys – spray and wipe down counters and toilets – scrub toilet bowl
Me – come behind them and wipe it all down with a dry towel to catch anything left behind
Me – vacuum and mop
Littles (anyone younger than the two oldest) – wash windows, mirrors, and coffeetables
Week 2: Boys – sweep and mop hard floors
Me – vacuum carpets good
One boy and one Little – clean downstairs bathroom by themselves
One boy and one Little – clean upstairs bathroom by themselves
Me – dust and clean windows, etc.
Week 3: Do basically everything so that it gets a really good cleaning every third week or so!
Week 4: Sometimes if we’re really busy, we will skip this week. * gasp *
We also switch some of these up in accordance with our life at the moment – summer or winter schedules. But it does truly help to have children that can help clean!
There is one thing you will need to know though. All those jobs took extra time from Mommy to show them how to do it. But I kept telling myself that it would be worth it in the long run and I have proved myself right! Don’t I sound humble…..
And if you teach the oldest one or two well, you are off the hook! Since for some inborn reason, they love to tell the younger ones what to do.
So someday when their wife is hanging over the edge of a toilet bowl in the throes of morning sickness, she will love me for having taught her husband how to clean a stinky toilet!
- The Adventum CD Collection – Sale Now - March 27, 2021
- Alternative To Facebook Option - January 30, 2021
- The Beauty of the Hoary Head - January 2, 2021
Sarah : ) www.crumbsundermytable.blogspot.com says
Learning how to clean and cook are basic for life, so definitely teach them everything, because you never know when they will need those skills. My parents had the idea that we all needed to learn everything we could about everything. I have three brothers who are all capable of cooking and cleaning on their own if they had to do it. My youngest brother married a woman with spina bifida and although she can walk with braces, she has certain limitations. They have four children, each of which were c-sections, and she has repeatedly told my mother how grateful she is that he knew how to take care of the household and children in a reasonable manner. One of my older brothers is not married and was able to care for our grandparents before they passed away living with them, cooking, and cleaning for them. There are so many ways your sons may bless those around them! My oldest brother wasn’t blessed with a wife until he was in his 30s and lived on his own in another state, but was able to cook and clean for himself. On the other hand, and I say this not to shame anyone but to show the difference, when my husband and I were married he didn’t even know what an iron was or what it was for. He was actually shocked to know that someone had to iron his clothes to get the wrinkles out and any cooking other than grilling he has learned watching me. I think his learning about some of these things has not only been a practical help, but has also made him much more appreciative of his own mother and me. Keep teaching them 🙂
Anonymous says
I like this! 🙂 I might have to implement your cleaning schedule.
I can’t relate on the ‘teaching boys’ thing, ‘cuz I’m a Mom of four daughters. But I do like getting them involved in the cleaning. And yes, it DOES take more time! But I agree that it will all be worth it, someday.
~Rosalyn
Anna says
You Betcha! My boys (5,5 and 4) take their turns along with our daughter (3) with helping with vacuuming, dusting, laundry/folding, dishes and table setting, food prep and cooking… you name it. Amazingly enough, they LOVE it! They usually ASK to help at least once during the day. I’m sure as they get older, some of that will change, but for now I’m enjoying it and they are too. I think it’s important that boys also know how to keep house… at least the basics! 😉
I do agree that it does take more time, sigh, but I’m with you on believing it’ll all be worth it!!
Great post!!
Anonymous says
Well, guess you know what we practiced, since four of our sons came first! Hopefully, they are all glad now-or at least their wives. You remember how don’t you, Lowell?
Love! Mom G
Kendra Graber says
I am VERY grateful!! It gives me the motivation to teach our boys. 🙂