Disclaimer: Los Tweens was provided Tide Vivid White & Bright to review. However, the opinions expressed are solely our own.
Los Tweens Back to School Series
The start of a new school year marks a growth milestone for our tweens. They are faced with new lessons, greater challenges and responsibilities. This turning point in their lives provides an opportunity for us – los padres – to introduce new chores at home.
Last year, we posted a question to parents on our Facebook page asking if their tweens packed their own school lunch. A mom responded that she not only makes her tween’s lunch every morning but also packs a bag for her adult sister. While its a sweet gesture, I worry that she may also be burdened with cooking, cleaning and laundering for her family leading to stress and eventual burn-out. A result no one wants to see.
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It’s tempting to prescribe to the methodology that tweens are still children and shouldn’t be bothered. But at what age are they no longer children? When they become a teen? The angst and rebellion that mark the teen years make it harder to introduce new concepts. Before we know it, our tweens will be headed off to college unable to complete simple self-care tasks. So do it now.
Learning household chores is just as important as school lessons. If not more so! When was the last time you divided a fraction? And when was the last time you did laundry? And back to school provides a transitional period that makes introducing new chores to tweens easier.
My tween is taking on the responsibility of cleaning her own clothes this year. She started by loading and unloading the washing machine and dryer. Then she learned how to add the detergent, dryer sheets, empty the lint trap, and on until she could complete a load of laundry by herself.
VIEW MADDY’S TWEEN TUTORIAL ON DOING THE LAUNDRY
I also have a secret weapon – Tide Vivid White and Bright. Tide’s Vivid White and Bright eliminates the need to separate lights and darks and ensures my tween won’t be dying her dad’s undershirts pink. Using great products like Tide that eliminate a step in the chores is a great investment especially when teaching tweens.
Here are a few ideas for chores you can add to your tween’s routine:
- Setting and clearing off the dinner table
- Making their own school lunches
- Doing their own laundry
- Cleaning a room of the house
- Loading and unloading the dishwasher
And be sure to be patient and follow through. Just like with any new task, it will take time for your tween to get it right. They are going to whine and it’s not always going to be perfect. It’s part of the learning process and they’re going to be better off in the long run.
Abrazos,
