Wednesday is one of my favorite days of the week. Wednesday is the day that I get a break from laundry. It’s the day set aside for my daughters, ages 12 and 8, to do their own laundry.
You read that correctly — do their own laundry. I know this is unusual. I know this because other moms and I were comparing notes at Bunco last week and I confirmed that most kids that age do not know how to do laundry and would, therefore, not be able to manage their own. I even heard stories about moms having to pick their kids dirty clothes up off the floor, or that they request the kids bring the laundry to the washer, only to find it outside the bedroom door, and many such tales. Although I have not conquered my personal laundry struggles, I felt good that I have mastered the area of child involvement in laundry for quite sometime.
Some folks might think this sounds cruel. I even had a family member say, and it was said with that tone, “you mean to tell me that at 8 years old, Keely does her own laundry?” Yep. Absolutely. And I’m pretty damn proud of it. Teaching kids responsibility is easier said than done. And saying it doesn’t work. Hands-on participation does.
If any of you have girls, you will know why laundry is such a thorn in one’s side. Girls change clothes, I would guess, and average of 4-5 times per day. Usually, what they try on doesn’t get put away unless someone is standing right there to monitor. I’ve found many, many of those articles in the wash previously. Tried it on – didn’t like it – to the floor it goes – picked up with the dirties – rewashed – put back in circulation again. Or how about lip gloss and lip balm in the pockets? Or rolled up panties? Socks stuck in the pants? Make-up stains? Stickers – through the dryer? Sequins, fading fabrics, Kleenexes (emotional girls), and the list goes on.
They’ve been required to help and fold for a long time now, but the problems weren’t getting better. I ranted and raved and then eventually developed a plan. We’ve been on this plan for several months now, and from my perspective, it’s a winner!
My system is very simple. Although my girls have been an active part of laundry for a long time, it doesn’t require a long history to learn the basics. Let your kids help with laundry until they are skilled. This means teaching them initially to sort, then how the washer works and what colors go on what cycles/temperatures. Despite all the fancy controls, we have all of ours on two basic cycels: Regular wash and either warm or cold temp. KISS – keep it simple stupid was our best bet. Then, teach them dryer operation, timely move-over of washed clothes, lint filter cleaning, and immediate checking/folding. If you fold immediately, an iron rarely has to be used (hallelujah!). Some trouble shooting basics: out of balance, too full, etc and some stain fighting tips should finish off the learning process. My girls keep Tide to go and Stain stick in their rooms. I’ve taught them to pretreat stains asap.
We do our last load for the rest of the family and have it out by early Wednesday AM. The girls have theirs sorted and ready and put their first load in before school on Wednesday. We agreed to move it over to the dryer for them during the day. When they arrive home from school, they have a load ready to fold and another ready to start. Usually 3 or 4 loads takes care of all theirs. It must all be out by Thursday morning so we resume our regular 2 loads per day minimum plan.
Harper is 5 and he’s in training. He won’t have to do his own anytime soon, but he daily brings down the upstairs laundry. He sees his sisters do chores and he likes it. He’s proud of himself and he enjoys feeling a part.
I know to some folks this sounds radical. Some think it’s beyond the scope of what kids should have to do. I, however, highly recommend it in the scheme of family organization and systems. It will also serve them well in college and I think some future spouses will thank me.
You are so right in that future spouses will thank you. My Eddie (DH) refuses, yes, REFUSES to let me do his laundry, even socks. At first I felt a sting, but HEY I’M NOT DOING IT.
My brother learned at a young age to do his own laundry, and now he is pretty finicky about doing it, so I am guessing that HIS wife is getting a break, too!
You can be sure that my son will learn how to do it as soon as I can manage it. He is already enthralled by the clothes going round and round in the dryer… and he helps by closing the door when I load… after every item!
Too Cool!
I learned to do my laundry early too. Somewhat out of necessity–my mom was in and out of the hospital a lot so we all had to learn how to pich in on that. She wrote up instructions for reference and posted them near the washer.
My kids love to help(when I think to let them)–especially the youngest. Go figure.
I started doing my laundry at 14 and I don’t think my mother ever did it again after that. It wasn’t hard, though, and I’m sure I could have handled it a few years earlier. I’ve also read recently it’s not really very sanitary to mix clothes from too many different family members anyway, so it makes the most sense to have people do their own.
I think this is a great idea! Teaches basic laundry and responsibility. Great thinking!
Wow, good for you! I seriously never did laundry until I went to college, and I felt like a total klutz the first time I did it.
Well perhaps some may deem it inappropriate and I have certianly received my share of “the stare” when I tell people this but my 3 year old is and has been for a while responsible for helping with laundry. He knows where his shoes, coats and dirty clothes go and he helps clean the floors, feed the pets, load the dishwasher,ect. Ok no one call human services, he loves it, thinks it’s great fun. We spend more time together and he is learning valuable lessons. As for those disbelivers whether it’s laundry, putting your shoes up or other chores they all teach responsibility and the value of home/clothing ect. Can you really foster the concept of responsibility and value at too early of an age?
I say way to go K!
My teens have been doing laundry since they were about your children’s ages, partly because I was (for a few years) a commuting student living on campus during weekdays. I figure that makes them smarter than half the college freshment out there!
Short story from the home front:
http://qw88nb88.wordpress.com/2006/12/13/recess-stories-from-the-home-front/
I believe future spouses WILL thank you!
I too was taught laundry at a young age for the exact same reason. I am glad to see your girls know the art of laundry!
I had to start doing my own laundry at the laundromat when I was 12-it wasn’t that big of a deal. I don’t know why people get all up in arms about kids and chores. It’s life.
Let people stare at you. When your children are 18, independent, self-sufficient adults, their children will still be living off of Mommy and Daddy and have no sense of responsibility whatsoever. I think it is SO important to instill these things in children at a young age. It’s a concept that has almost been completely lost in today’s society.
Hey, you doin’ good?
I got so tired of my oldest always complaining not having clean clothes to wear (he only wore 2 pairs of pants and about 3 shirts at the time) that I taught him how to do his own laundry…at age 10!! I found out it worked and all 3 of mine can do their own (one less thing for me to think about!!).
Oh ya…and cooking right behind that…my now 14 year old is the best cook with the grill and his little brother (11) is right behind…now my oldest…well, he just learned to boil water
Thank you so much. I was feeling guilty about making my 13 year old son do his own laundry! I had many responsibilities growing up with a singe mom, so I learned to do a lot at an early age. I don’t know what the guilt is about! And thanks to those of you who have replied too! I don’t feel so bad anymore…