I also “enlisted” (that really means forced!) my children’s labor for laundry when they were not being responsible.

Step ONE: Each child separates into the following piles: 1-jeans, 2- darks, 3-lights and 4-whites that need bleach (we also had a “reds” category but they may not apply to every family. Reds include oranges, browns, red and pink.)

Step TWO: Each child checks pockets, zips zippers and buttons buttons. (They learn quickly to do this when they take the clothes off each night to avoid doing it all at once and to keep any money they might have in their pockets.)

Step THREE: Each child carries the first load to the washing machine. (Most of the time the three kiddos would have a full load together.) Parent is responsible for starting the appliance. It is the “fun” part for the child to pour is the soap, choose the settings, start the appliance, etc. so if you can, have the children take turns while you supervise.

Step FOUR: Choose a child to be responsible for setting the oven timer for the amount of time the washing machine is operating. Step FIVE A: Choose another child to be responsible to turn off the timer and put the clothes into the dryer. Step FIVE B: Choose another child to get the clothes out of the dryer. Step SIX: Folding party! Step SEVEN: Put the clothes away dance! Step EIGHT: Everyone starts again at step THREE!

Step NINE: Make a “done with the laundry” ritual like gathering around the table to enjoy hot chocolate or popcorn or make laundry day a movie night, too….only to be enjoyed when the laundry is done, of course!

Remember to regularly praise your children when they are helping and doing a good job. Ask them lots of questions so they can figure out the answers themselves…it teaches good critical thinking skills and lets your child know that you believe in them and that you know they are smart, too! Ex. “Mom, how much soap do I pour in?” “Well, I don’t know. How much soap do we pour in? How do you find out?” “Well, I could read the package. Here, it says…..” The clothes get done so much more quickly when everyone is taking a part in helping. And everyone gets to feel self confident and proud of themselves for a job well done. Everyone learns responsibility, too! Even your littlest one can help….even if its to pour in the soap or push the button to start the appliances, gather up “lost” items left behind, sort by color, etc. They really CAN help. Most people underestimate their young children!

When I had 3 children in my home and a smaller washing machine…we could literally wash jeans and t-shirts in a load every day just from that day. It just depends on how many clothes are being worn each day!

1 – You can mark each person’s sock with a bit of thread at the toe. With that many people in the home it will take awhile.

2 – Buy all new socks. Throw away ALL others…good or bad…. This is expensive especially with so many toes to cover!

3 – Who really cares if their socks match? No one sees them anyway (for the most part!) Besides, our daughter LIKES wearing mis-matched socks on purpose!

4 – Teach EVERYONE to fold their socks together when they take them off their feet. An alternate to this is to have everyone clip their socks together with a clothes pin (old fashioned style.) I’ve heard of people who just wash ‘em with the clothespins holding them together. I’ve never tried it myself but I have heard of it. A really great deterrent for anyone who can’t fold their socks together…they get to fold all the socks!