Despite all the hype about Hurricane Earl, I’ve done little to prepare. Our cupboards and fridge are comfortably nearing almost but not quite low status (our freezer, though, is nice and full thanks to Trader Joe’s). I have a few toys lined up which have been in storage (another way of saying I put them away and forgot we had them) but I’ve made a very serious, much needed decision. If indeed we are home-bound the entire weekend, I’m putting my little girls to work.
That’s right. I’m putting their tiny little energy to good use and giving our home a good seasonal cleaning. Before you think me a slave driver, please know my kidlets get tremendous joy – yes, joy – out of cleaning and helping around the house. So I cut my list of play activities in half and replaced it with household chores – vacuum, mop, organize books, donate find a home for stuffed animals, catch up on laundry, clean out cupboards (a good excuse to make up random meals) and clean toys (a favorite since, inevitably, it requires one last good playing with before a good scrub down).
Give it a try. Fill a small spray bottle with water or a non-toxic cleaning solution, give your child some cloth and let them take pride in caring for their home. I don’t have expectations that my girls will clean non-stop so we’ll take breaks in between to read books, play or just lie around be silly. But getting some house work done, for this very non-Martha mama, is always a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. Not to mention it means that once the kidlets go to bed, my evening is all mine; I won’t be debating between wanting to indulge in watching “Say Yes To The Dress” with ice cream on the couch or doing the dishes.
If you’re not in a cleaning mood or if you’re home is already spotless (good for you!), tell us – what’s your favorite rainy day activity? We’re talking about activities to keep kids entertained, Facebook sales don’t count =)
~Carla~
