Help Your Busy Mother Out Around the House

Your mom does a lot of housekeeping, and you'd really like to help her out. How can you pitch in and make things easier for your hard-working mom without getting in the way?

Steps

Caring for your own space

  1. Keep your room clean. Keep track of your things, and put them away when you're done with them. If you do make a mess, clean it up.

Taking charge of some of your mom's tasks

  1. Figure out what tasks you could do that your mother usually takes care of. Depending on your age and abilities, you may not be able to cook a big fancy dinner for your family, but you may be able to whip up a simple lunch for your siblings.
  2. Ask your mom what she could use help with. She probably has suggestions for things you could do for her.
    • Keep in mind that you are "helping" the whole family, yourself included. Your mom will appreciate your help but it isn't just her job to keep the household running smoothly; it's the responsibility of each person in the household, right down to very basic chores for the toddlers.

Changing the household approach to chores

  1. Get the rest of your family together and organize a "Mom's Day Off". Divide up the jobs your mom usually does and pick a day to do them. Your mom will have the day to herself.
  2. Keep at it! Your mother is probably working hard for you every day, so she could use your help as often as you can give it. After everyone has participated in Mom's Day off, ask everyone to stick at their chosen tasks from that point on.
  3. Always help your mom, and she will be very happy.
  4. If your mom asks for your help, don't whine. Instead, help her out. She wouldn't be asking if she didn't need your help.

Specific household tasks you can do

  1. Put the dishes in the sink after eating, and make sure you rinse or wash off whatever dishes you use.
    • Alternatively, place them in the dishwasher. When you notice it is full, set it a-washing.
    • Empty the dishwasher when it's complete. It's the task of whoever comes across it first.
  2. Do laundry loads. At the very least, do your own laundry. Children can begin to take care of their own washing from around the age of 8. If you don't know how to remove stains, ask to learn how. Provided the clothes are not stained, it's as easy as gathering your clothes, adding powder or liquid to the washing machine and setting it at the right wash cycle. The machine does most of the work, unlike 100 years ago when people did it all by hand!
  3. Help out with making dinner. You never know, you may find you're a budding chef. If you are really good at one part of dinner or particular dishes, offer to be the person who makes this part or dish on a regular basis.
  4. Feed, water, walk and groom the household pets. Again, the pets are the responsibility of everyone in the household. As an added bonus, pets become more attached to and trusting of those who care for them in these ways, so spread the love around!
  5. Deal with the floors. Vacuuming and mopping are not hard. They are methodical and they are one of the few areas of household cleaning that make an instant and large difference to how a room looks, so enjoy your handiwork.

Tips

  • Help your mom before you ask her about helping, by doing chores that you know how to do and can complete alone.
  • When your siblings pitch in don't get mad if they do their job incorrectly, help them.
  • Sometimes it's nice to just surprise your mum by helping out. You could even make a little voucher book for chores.
  • Do not wait to be told or asked to do something, take initiative, be responsible, and do it on your own.
  • Help your mom without being asked. Do not wait for her to tell to you, she will be grateful.
  • Never disrespect your mother.
  • Try to keep your mom happy. It's easy to take her for granted, but fight that habit. Try to let her know how much she's appreciated, and help her out whenever you can; you never know when it'll be the last thing you do for her.
  • It's OK to do chores before your mom has to ask you to do it, but if you need help don't be afraid to ask. Just say it. You should know that your mom will always be there for you and that is why you should be there for her.
  • Watch your younger sibling(s).

Warnings

  • When you think you're helping your mother by bossing around your siblings, you're actually causing more stress on your mother, because an argument always erupts. If you know that your sibling(s) will get angry if you tell them to do something, then leave them alone and let your mom deal with it.
  • Don't try to "surprise" your mom by taking on a job you've never done before by yourself. If you do it incorrectly, you could inadvertently make more work for your mother. Instead stick to simple tasks that you're experienced with. Save new jobs for when your mom is there to help you.

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