Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.

PROVERBS 22:6

KIDS CAN DO MORE than we give them credit for.

As I write this book, my children are ages six, eight, and nine. They have to clean their rooms, unload the dishwasher, and help around the house. But after talking with my sister-in-law, Sarah, recently, I realized that my children can do more than the basics. Sarah’s children, who are six and eight years old, take turns cleaning up the kitchen every night after dinner. The eight-year-old is responsible for loading and running the dishwasher, washing the pots and pans, and wiping down the counters on his night. The six-year-old loads and runs the dishwasher on her night. Huh. Well then, I suppose my children can do more!

With this information in hand, I decided to teach my kids to clean the whole kitchen. I started with my nine-year-old. Not only did I ask her to clean up after dinner during the week, but I gave her the ultimate challenge—cleaning up the weekend dishes. Talk about a disaster zone in the sink. I mean, there were dishes from several meals from over the weekend! I stayed with her and taught her how to do everything, from rinsing off the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, to loading the dishwasher, running it, washing the pots and pans, wiping down the counters, and sweeping the floor. It took about forty minutes (it really was a mess!), but she did it. I was so proud of her! And here’s the kicker: She was proud of herself. She looked over the kitchen with a sense of accomplishment.

The next day, the task wasn’t nearly as messy. I still needed to guide her, but she did a great job. I made a chart that listed the steps to cleaning the kitchen, just in case she needed any reminders.

Before she learned to clean the kitchen, I taught her and my son how to do their own laundry. It is not only a help to me, but it helps them because if they want their clothes clean, they are capable of doing it. It also teaches them responsibility, an asset for life.

I want all my children to know how to run a household, and I’d like them to be able to do it by age ten. I know it’s possible; it’s just a matter of taking the time to teach and train them. It’s worth it.

Wisdom from My Sister-in-Law

I believe God wants us to do our best in everything, but relationships are especially important. The two most important commands that God has given to us are stated here: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”[1] Relationships with our family and our “neighbors” are to be our top priorities. There are some things in life that you will never be able to get back—a clean house isn’t one of them!

Here are some tips that have worked for me:

• I steward my time. I must use my time wisely. For me, that means I have to stay off social media, the phone, and the Internet. There is a time for everything. This continues to be a very difficult thing for me to discipline myself in. Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (NIV).
• I pray that God will multiply my time and efforts. It’s amazing how this small prayer changes my attitude. Psalm 37:5 says, “Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He will do it.” God truly cares about the details of our lives!
• I prioritize my day in this order: God, family, and tasks. When I do, everything tends to run much smoother.
• Often I throw a quick Crock-Pot meal together in the morning. When I know I have a busy day of cleaning, it is a huge relief to know a meal will be ready at the end of a productive day.
• I get the kids to help. As much as I can, I assign a task to each child according to his or her age and ability. I work with each of them on a task the first one or two times, teaching them the how-tos of the job; once the children learn, they are required to help out when asked, needed, or scheduled. The old saying that “many hands make light work” couldn’t be truer. When a job has been done well, I verbally or sometimes monetarily praise the child. If the child asks me if the job is done well, I will ask the child if he did his best and if he would be pleased with the outcome if Jesus were to see it. I don’t want the effort to be for me, but for the Lord.

I believe having a clean home creates a sense of calm in the home, although keeping it clean can feel meaningless, redundant, and constant. However, if we view our work as serving others and—by doing so—loving them, it changes our heart attitudes. When we serve those in our home by taking care of it, we become more Christlike. Jesus came to earth to serve us, so we can do the same for our families.

I fail so many times. Thankfully, our God is not a condemning God, but a gracious one, who is slow to anger and abounding in loving-kindness! Ultimately, all our efforts in this life are to glorify Him.

READ—WITH YOUR KIDS—COLOSSIANS 3:23.

What are we encouraged to do with our work? Who is it really for?

MARTHA CHALLENGE

TODAY, MOVE TO THE NEXT BEDROOM.

Repeat the steps from the first bedroom on Day 11.

HELP YOUR CHILDREN LEARN TO CLEAN—READERS’ TIPS

Draw or write (depending on age) a list of steps for your kids’ chores. Laminate the list, and stick it in the rooms where the chores need to happen. Each kid at our house has a morning routine list posted by his or her bedroom light switch, too.[2]

—Kristie Wooten

(1) Change the way you talk about chores. Explain that chores are ways that we can bless others in our household. (2) Have your children start by working alongside you, the younger ones doing what they are capable of doing. (3) Start giving all of your children responsibilities when they are young—showing them, helping them, and guiding them until they can do it themselves.[3]

—Rebecca Carter