Teaching my Kids a Laundry Lesson

Teaching my Kids a Laundry Lesson

By Basic Organization team member Tracy Wells.

Recently I made a big change in the way I do laundry. With 3 children ranging in ages from 8-13, I thought it was time to give them more responsibility. Also to take a little pressure off of me.  While I am now working more outside our home, this lesson will teach my children to become more responsible for their own belongings.

Okay, so what did I do exactly? Well, I purchased 3 laundry baskets and wrote each child’s name on each basket. As I take the clothes out of the dryer I distribute them in each child’s basket.  Then I told them that they have 1 day to fold the clothes and put them in their proper drawers.

Of course, some folding demonstration instructions were given before we started! I showed them how to fold socks, (which for one of my children was a little tricky) but they soon mastered it! Yay!  I also showed them the many ways you could fold a shirt. I even shared a story with them about how my first job at a clothing store involved folding shirts with a clipboard. The kids are also learning to turn their clothes and socks inside out.

Boy, I am so happy I did this because it really has given me back some time to accomplish other things.

What lessons have you taught your children regarding laundry?

 

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Janet Schiesl

Janet Schiesl

Janet has been organizing since 2005. She is a Certified Professional Organizer and the owner of Basic Organization.

She loves using her background as a space planner to challenge her clients to look at their space differently. She leads the team in large projects and works one-on-one with clients to help the process move quickly and comfortably. Call her crazy, but she loves to work with paper, to purge what is not needed and to create filing systems that work for each individual client.

Janet is a Past Board Member of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals and a Past President of the Washington DC Chapter of NAPO were she has been named Organizer of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.

Janet Schiesl

Janet Schiesl

Janet has been organizing since 2005. She is a Certified Professional Organizer and the owner of Basic Organization.

She loves using her background as a space planner to challenge her clients to look at their space differently. She leads the team in large projects and works one-on-one with clients to help the process move quickly and comfortably. Call her crazy, but she loves to work with paper, to purge what is not needed and to create filing systems that work for each individual client.

Janet is a Past Board Member of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals and a Past President of the Washington DC Chapter of NAPO were she has been named Organizer of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.

4 Comments

  1. Tamara on November 5, 2013 at 12:30 pm

    Thanks Janet! This is a great tip. I’m implementing that names on the basket and one day to fold. My three are between 7 and 12. 🙂

    • Basic Organization on November 12, 2013 at 6:20 pm

      With laundry, it’s whatever works for you and your lifestyle. A folding day sounds like a good option. It’s all about time management. Thanks Tamara.

  2. Janet Schiesl on November 5, 2013 at 12:52 pm

    Tracy, I also gave my kids their own laundry responsibilities around age 12. They already had their own hampers, but I took the summer to show them how to sort and wash each type of laundry, and to give them an idea of a laundry schedule. They were responsible for folding, hanging and putting away. Each child learned in their own way (just like our clients), but they both learned the time management required. After the summer lessons, they were on their own. That’s when I had to learn to let go and not complain when a hamper was overflowing or laundry was being done at a rush, in the last minute.I realized that they needed to learn by consequences. In the end, I am glad to say I have been ‘kid laundry’ free for years and my sons have learned an important life management skill.

  3. Teaching Your Child About Giving on November 12, 2013 at 2:25 pm

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