Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Laundry at 10

When my kids turn ten years old they are responsible for their own laundry. This has been one of the best things I have done as a mother. At ten kids are excited about this possibility. My boys actually looked forward to this day.
Such Independence!
I would show them two ways to launder....put it all in together in one batch and wash with cold water, or sort it out to lights and darks and wash separately. They could do which ever they pleased.
I no longer had to match socks, fold underwear, have the trauma of "nothing to wear" be on my shoulders. They could be stinky or clean...it was up to them. I still do my share of reminding about the laundry....because I don't like stinky rooms or boys....but truly, they have done a great job with this over the years. As they got older, the gray-whites were not as appealing and sorting happened automatically. Monson still dumps it all in one load. I am just glad it gets done.
Laila is thrilled with the idea that she can do her own laundry and is occasionally found squatting on top of the dryer as she loads the washing machine. She wants to show me she can do her own laundry at 8! She needs help with the costco size laundry soap, but other than that, she pushes and spins all of the correct knobs.
Laundry has never bothered me. It never gets stacked up and feels overwhelming. I think that's because I only do 3/7th of my household.
It's a good thing!

2 comments:

Kimi said...

Laundry is the one household job I like. I'd be happy to give away anything else to the 10-and-ups though.

They all have laundry skills and are competent enough, but I still like to do it.

Cause mine is laundry SKILLZZZ!

Brooke Shoko said...

there was a similar trend in my family as well.
corrine turned 10- and did her laundry.
i turned 10- and did my laundry

my brothers??? :)