Let’s Talk Laundry

 

Life on the homestead is wonderful.  We spend so much of our time outside, enjoying God’s creation.  The kids get wrapped up in imaginative play, usually involving dirt, water, sticks, rocks, and bugs.  Then of course, there are the goats and chickens and all the projects on which my husband and I spend time working.  All this outdoor time can get a little messy.  That directly translates to our clothing.  So let’s talk about this weekly task that can pile up at an incredible rate…laundry.

This was painted by my daughter when she was younger.  I added the verse and hung it above the dryer.

I’m going to preface all this by saying, I love my “job”.  I love that I GET to stay home and manage our home.  I like to think that I am the glue that holds us all together, or the bearings that keep us moving smoothly.  Part of my job is doing everyone’s laundry.  It’s only right that I spend my time making sure my family has clean clothes.  And I’ll let you in on a little secret…I hide Oreos in the utility room.  It keeps me motivated.

Now I’m not saying my family doesn’t help.  My husband is great at stepping in any time my workload is keeping me from the laundry.  We have the kind of relationship that doesn’t draw lines to divide tasks into “wifely duties” or “the man’s work”.  We work together for the common good of our family.

 

We also want our children to grow into responsible adults.  This means they have chores.  One of their chores is putting away their laundry.  Since they were able to carry a stack of clothes to their room, they have been putting their own clothes away.  Initially we gave them a small commission for the work they would complete.  Now they do it as responsible little humans living in this house…with a little grumbling here and there.

 

One of my biggest pet peeves is clothing that is turned inside out.  I cannot stand having to turn them the right way.  When you have so much laundry to do, each little article of clothing that is the wrong way slows me down.  I’m all about efficiency here! 

So what was my solution?  I decided to charge them 5 cents for every piece of clothing that I had to fix.  This did not include socks and underwear because I leave that for them to fix on their own.  This started a fun little competition in our home.  I kept tally and they paid up.  And I’d say the best part was seeing the pure joy on my kids’ faces when they would find out their dad had to pay the most.  (He swears they turn inside out all by themselves but I don’t buy it!)

 

Well it only took 2 weeks of laundry and the problem was solved.  The kids (and even their dad) learned to take their clothes off with care to make sure they were not inside out and I was much happier to do the family laundry.

 

My Take-Aways:

1. Being a stay-at-home mom/wife is a blessing.  I feel like I can manage our household and keep things flowing smoothly.  It’s a privilege to serve my family.
2. Kids should do chores and learn valuable skills at an early age.  Not only do they gain knowledge and skills, but they feel a sense of accomplishment.  They also see that their actions affect others.  They now realize that something as simple as a shirt or pants inside out has an impact on another person. 
3.  Money is a motivator.  It was only a nickel but it motivated the kids.