You've got to admit it, if you have children, you may be counting the days until school starts again. Learning goes on everyday, for all of us.   Now is a good time to teach the kids - and ourselves - that household cleanup can be a team sport.

Children can handle many cleaning tasks.  Decide the best job for your child's age and the level of direct supervision required.  For example, any young school age child with the understanding that certain items may break can easily handle dusting.   

Here are a few of Don's suggestions to limit your role as household janitor.

• Write down and post lists - It's a simple way to keep track of who does what and when.  Plus, writing down needs eliminates any response of  "I didn't know" or "I forgot". 
• Make helping out easy for kids - It's a good idea to certain there are plenty of hangers, drawers or bins for each child's personal belongings.
• Patience and persistence pays off - Stick to it.  New ideas and behaviors require repetition until they become part of the routine.  Whatever you do, don't give up!  If you breakdown and do it yourself, you'll be doing it forever.
• Praise - Heap it on when it's deserved.  There's no better motivator than positive reinforcement.

You might note these techniques work well in the classroom.  Soon, that's where the children will be.  Meanwhile, prep them for the year ahead and get a happier, cleaner home too!