Laundry is the one chore that I seriously hate doing. It's not hard to, but it is tedious and never ending. As soon as you get clothes put away there are more dirty clothes to wash. I like things that I can finish and feel a sense of accomplishment with. Laundry is never done.
When should kids do their own laundry?
My kids already love to help with the laundry. Mostly they like to help me take the clean clothes out of the basket and separate them before we put them away. They also like to take them out of the basket and run away with them. That's more of a laundry game they play.
Our laundry closet is downstairs with the TV and toys. So it makes it very easy for them to play nearby while I put dirty clothes in the wash and hang up dry clothes. Even if they don't help with those aspects, they still see me on a daily basis doing these tasks. As they get older and more physically able to help with everything involved in turning on the washing machine and the dryer, they will help with those things as well.
Here is what other moms have to say about introducing pets to new babies.
Advice and Stories from Real Moms
Turn on some music
We start to introduce our kids to laundry as soon as they can pull his/her self up to look into the basket. We try to make it a fun activity by turning on music (like these Disney Silly Songs) and making a game out of it. The hope is that as they get older this chore won't become such a pest and more part of our weekly routine. - Brittany from Pennies Into Pearls
Respect the Mother
Respecting the mother also means pitching in and helping. We were never in a position to have a household cook or cleaner. We talked about how, as family members, it was everyone’s responsibility to pitch in and do what needed to be done. Mom is not another word for servant. - Tamara from Empowered Single Moms
When they can remember the instructions
As soon as they can reliably sort laundry, remember wash settings, and not dump 4 gallons of detergent in on top of the towels. - Leanne from The Transplanted Southerner
Every load is a team effort
We all help with laundry in our house, it's a team effort. No one gets to only do their own. Since we have a front-loading washer, our kiddos started helping carry and switch loads as soon as they could walk and carry something at the same time--usually 2 years old! - Jamie from Walking In High Cotton
Start young, when it's fun
From age 5! Of course not daily but try to keep the routine and system fresh. When they are young it's fun for them, once they get older it's hell. - Chloe from Creatively Clo
Kids will love playing with this mini washer machine - perfect for girls and boys.
The question is - when will they fold it and put it away?
My 2.5 year old loves to help. She will have a breakdown if I put the clothes in the basket without asking for her help...so she (no joke) now does the laundry minus the detergent and starting the wash. She also doesn't fold or put them away yet. So, basically none of the hard stuff. - Stephanie from And Don't Your Forget It
Thank you Moms!
This is just another example of choosing what is best for you and your family. It's important to start early with chores for kids, so they can develop a good relationship with work ethic that can improve their lives as they get older.
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Kristin,
I love this post! I have twins who will be four years old, but they’ve been helping me put the laundry in their drawers since they were around 3. Now they are folding little wash cloths and towels for me! Sometimes I let them take the clothes our of the dryer, but the laundry room is too enticing for my son and he just likes to check out things and turn knobs and things!!
I love it when they help!
I’m with Stephanie! I can’t wait until they’re able to fold the clothes lol. My kids are 3 & 6. They separate, wash, and dry…minus turning the machines on. It’s fun to them, and a stress reliever for me. Team work makes the dream work 🙂
Yes! Hopefully it’s still fun for them when they are old enough to fold.
I am a nanny and the 2 children I look after love to help with the washing. I fold the clothes and ask the 2 year old to open a specific drawer, pass the clothes to them and ask him to put them in the drawer. Once he has put them in he closes the drawer (I have to watch my fingers because he closes the drawer fast!) He only has a small dresser. The 4 year often copies how I fold clothes and does most of it herself sometimes asking for help. She knows where everything goes so I just have to encourage her to keep going. Once I have finished with the 2 year olds clothes I help her fold but she puts it all away in her drawers.