My two little ones have this new thing: they think it’s hilarious to take baby wipes and clean the house. They’ll wipe down our dusty living-room shelves, the bathroom door knobs and mirrors, their stuffed animals, their toys, and sometimes themselves. Is it wrong for me to exploit this child labour?
This morning, the littlest was just following around his older brother, who a couple of times said “See? Isn’t cleaning fun?” I even pointed out that the kitchen floor could use a few swipes, given the patches of dried tempera paint here and there. Well, they just thought that was a great idea! Who am I to interfere with such good times?
They also like to use this funky duster my mom gave me, one of those fluffy things on a stick that you just shake outside when you’re done. Sad to say they use it more than I do, but still. At least it’s being put to proper use.
I’ve found creative ways to get them to help me clean up around the house in other ways. I’ve turned washing the kitchen floor into a pre-bath blast: they each get a bowl of soapy water and a cloth (as do I), and they can go nuts spreading the suds all over the place. It works!
So the place isn’t as disastrous as it has been in the past, and everybody’s happy. Gotta love a win-win.