Monday, September 27, 2010

When we’re helping, we’re happy…or at least Mom is.

This seriously isn’t genius.  I just thought I’d share this cleaning thing I do with my kids.  I remember my mom doing it with us when we were growing up. 

A few Sundays ago, I came home from a walk to a house that looked like this:

10minute1 10minute2

Yuck.  It was time for everyone to go to bed, but I did not want to clean it all by myself.  It was time for 10 Minute Clean Up. 

The rules are pretty simple:  We set the timer for 10 minutes and tell them that all they have to do is clean fast for 10 minutes and no matter what it looks like, we are done when the timer rings.  I took some pictures this particular time for some Before and Afters, to show them how much we can get done in a short amount of time.  We put on music and run around (while parents help and shout encourage comments and reminders).  It’s usually really effective; look:

10minute3 

 

10minute4

Pretty good for 10 Minutes, huh? 

So there you go.  Cleaning tips from the girl who just wants to go to bed.

(Your kids might want to talk you into 10 minute practicing or 10 minute homework, but don’t fall for it…slightly less effective, I’m thinking.)

17 comments:

mandy* said...

I'm totally stealing this idea!

Lauren in GA said...

You said this isn't genius...but it sounds pretty genius to me.

When we clean the house Mike blasts music and it helps keep everybody in good spirits...but I have to remind all of the air guitarists and air drummers to stay on task.

I am going to try the 10 minute idea. I think that they would appreciate that there is an end in sight...only 10 minutes and see how much you can cover. Yeah, it's genius!

Annemarie said...

Is yelling allowed during this process?
I do think it's genius and will be giving it a shot.

Carie said...

We do a version of this called "5 minutes in each room" (super original title.) We clean all our common rooms for 5 minutes (never takes the full 5, so the kids think they are getting off easy.) We try to do this every night before bed, it only takes about 20+ minutes and the entire house is clean!

the wrath of khandrea said...

i'm primarily impressed with the 10 minute family makeover. they went from delinquent vagabonds to pristine angels. nice.

Alison said...

We do this one as well as "Pick up 20 things". Love the pictures.

Silcox Stories said...

We do this and sometimes we also have a boys vs. girls, including Mom and Dad. Each team takes an area of the house and whoever is done first wins!

Cami said...

We've been doing this lately.

I LOVE it when we run out of things to pick up. Much success with this one.

I've never done this with Cameron home, though. That'd double our success.

Rochelleht said...

Hmmm... Somehow I just don't see my kids going for this. They always seem to find a way to make it a nightmare. I just see Grace sitting and whining and Jane yelling that she's not helping and Ethan and Derick watching tv and the girls being mad that they aren't helping.

I really sound like Debbie Downer here. I'll shut up now.

Margaret said...

Absolutely.

Elizabeth said...

This is a brilliant idea! What time shall I expect your children round to do their ten minutes at my house?
I have one child that takes about 2 hours to do a ten minute job...I'm showing him this post.

Dave and Ash said...

Ha, I just read your comment & laughed to myself because I looked at your blog this very day and was going to leave a comment telling you that all I could see in the pictures of your kitchen was the dishwasher. But I decided to suck it up and not whine. I am strong & I can do this. I've actually rocked the house with a good attitude about it all (no doubt a blessing from Heavenly Father), but I like to joke and make fun and say how I really feel (ha) on the blog. Thanks for encouraging words and love your dishwasher for me.

ibshell said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
ibshell said...

I love the after pictures and how the house became a peaceful sanctuary in just 10 minutes time. We are SO with ya! ;-)

Tristan said...

Brilliant!! I'm so doing this!

Jake said...

Your kids are lucky you are teaching them to work! And making it fun! Tell them I said so...

Shopper Gal said...

I love that idea. Nicely done Jessica!!! The house looked great and I loved Jane doing her zen move on the floor! :)