How to help your parents with household chores

Your parents are managing a mountain of household tasks to keep everything in and around the house neat and organized, while also working hard to take care of you. If you'd like to show some appreciation, even in a small way, you should find ways to lighten their load at home. Lend a hand by keeping the house tidy and taking over some of their household chores. Even though you may be young, there are still plenty of tasks you can handle to give your parents a break, and it will help keep your home orderly and cozy.

Throw away the trash. Sometimes out of laziness, you let trash or unnecessary items pile up in your room. Take a bag and walk around your room, collecting everything that needs to be discarded.

• A small trash bin in the room can be very helpful when you need to throw something away. Be sure to take the trash out once the bin is full.
• This not only helps reduce clutter in your room but also prevents pests and insects from being attracted by the trash. Moreover, trash can emit odors in the room, so removing it will help keep your space smelling fresh.

Wipe everything in your room. You can use an old rag or a cleaning cloth to dust off the furniture. You'll likely find dust in places like the nightstand, multi-drawer cabinets, and your desk.

Make your bed. Clear everything off your bed except for the bed sheets and blanket. Tuck the corners of the sheets tightly under the bed for a neat fit. Spread the blanket over the bed and smooth it out, then fold the top edge of the blanket down over the head of the bed. Once done, you can place your pillows or any other items you'd like on the bed.

• It's best to make your bed every morning right after waking up to make it a habit. Additionally, this ensures your bed stays neat all day, unless you're sleeping on it.
• The bed sheets usually need washing every two weeks, so remember to change them when your parents ask to keep your bedding clean.

Organize your clothes. You should arrange your clothes neatly so they're always wrinkle-free when you wear them, and easy to find. If you have clothes scattered all over your room, start by sorting out the clean and dirty ones. This step will help you decide what to do next with the piles of clothes.

• For clean clothes, hang them in the closet or fold them and put them away in their designated drawers.
• For dirty clothes, gather them and take them to the laundry room. If your parents allow it, you can wash your clothes yourself, but check with them first. Once the clothes are clean, fold them and store them properly in your room.

Pick up books and toys. If your room is cluttered with books and toys, pick them up and find a place to store them. If you leave them scattered all over the floor, it will be difficult to move around without stepping on something, which could lead to injury or damage to your toys, or both.

• Don’t just throw everything into a pile in the closet, because that would just move the mess from one place to another. You need shelves or boxes to store your things before you start organizing. If there isn’t enough space for everything, ask your parents for storage containers or consider getting rid of items you no longer use.

Ask if anyone needs help. People don’t always ask for assistance, even your parents and siblings. Therefore, you should pay attention to see if anyone could use a hand. For example, if you see your dad returning with groceries, ask if he needs help carrying them inside. Or if your mom is busy cooking, offer to assist with getting dinner ready.

• It’s okay if they say they don’t need help. The key is to offer, and your family will appreciate your consideration.

Set the table. Be sure to place enough bowls, plates, cups, and utensils for the meal. You could also learn some creative ways to arrange the table or fold napkins to make it look more attractive and fresh.

• After the meal, you can also help your parents by clearing the table. Place the used dishes and cutlery in the sink or dishwasher to be cleaned.

Wash the dishes. Once everyone has finished eating, it’s time to wash and put away the dishes. No one particularly enjoys washing dishes, so it’s a great help if you can assist your parents after all their effort in cooking.

• Start by scraping off any leftover food from the dishes to make cleaning easier. Use warm water and soap to wash the plates, cups, utensils, and cookware.
• Be sure to clean out the sink to prevent food scraps from clogging the drain after washing the dishes.
• If you have a dishwasher, remove the dishes once they’re done. Wait a few minutes for them to cool, as they might still be hot. Be careful not to burn yourself.
• Handle sharp objects like knives or forks carefully to avoid injury. Always grip the handles of knives and utensils, and pay attention when reaching for something.

Sweep the floor. Dust, food crumbs, and other debris on the floor can attract pests. Help your parents by sweeping the mess into a dustpan and disposing of it. Sweeping after meals is important, both in the dining area and kitchen.

• If you’re old enough and your parents allow, you could use a vacuum to clean the floor more thoroughly.

Take out the trash. Take the trash bag outside and place it in the outdoor bin for the sanitation workers to pick up. This task is simple, and even young children can do it. If the trash bin is getting full, especially in the kitchen or bathroom, take it outside and be sure to line the bin with a new bag.

Collect your mail and newspapers. These items are usually delivered once a day, except on Sundays. All you need to do is walk a few steps to the mailbox and gather everything that has arrived that day.

• Don't hide bad news or poor grades. You'll have no chance of stopping your parents from finding out about things like that.

Clean as you go. If you're making a mess or trying your hand at cooking or doing a project, make sure to clean up everything as you go—whether it's trash, food scraps, spilled liquids, or dirty dishes. Cleaning up as you go is a great way to show your parents that you are mature and responsible.

• There are many things that can cause a mess in the house. Piles of books, papers, clothes, toys, and dishes can appear at any time. You'll help your parents a lot by cleaning up those things.

Ask your parents for daily chores. There are many tasks around the house, including some you may not think of. Taking on daily chores is a great way to help your parents. It also makes things easier for them, as they won't have to remind you to do this or that.

• Doing daily chores is also beneficial for you, as it teaches you responsibility and prepares you to do these tasks when you grow up and live on your own.
• You can suggest tasks to your parents that you want to do. Maybe these are things you know you will do well, or tasks you'd like to improve at. When talking to your parents, you could decide to make a list of tasks or take turns with your siblings.
• Make a chore chart. This is a fun and effective way for everyone to remember your tasks. The chart will show what you need to do and how often. For example, setting the table is a daily task, but taking out the trash might only need to be done once a week. Be creative when drawing your chart, make it colorful, and mark off completed tasks, but make sure the chart makes sense for everyone involved.
• Remember that the workload isn't always going to be split evenly. If your younger siblings are too small, you'll need to pick up extra tasks until they grow older. The important thing is not to complain and to just get the job done.

Feed your pets. Just like you, pets need to eat every day, so be sure to include their meals in your household schedule. You'll also need to know what kind of food to give them, how much, and at what time.

• Only feed your pet their food. Don’t give them leftover human food or treat food meant for rewards.
• Don't forget to provide fresh water for your pets. If their water bowl is not empty but looks dirty, clean the bowl and refill it with fresh water.
• You should talk with everyone in your household so that everyone knows who will be feeding the pet and when. Don't let your pet overeat or go hungry.

Clean your pet’s living space. If your pets live in a cage or an aquarium, it’s important to clean their habitats regularly. Change the newspaper lining in bird cages, for small mammals and reptiles, replace their heating lamps, and clean the fish tank to provide a comfortable home for your pets.

• Don’t forget to clean your pet's bathroom area, whether it's a corner in the cage or a litter box, on a regular basis.

Play with your pets. Pets are family members too, and you should make time to interact with them. This is especially important for active animals like dogs and smaller pets such as mice or hamsters.

• Even cats sometimes enjoy playing with people. Occasionally, cuddle with your cat or let them curl up in your lap for some quiet time.
• Be sure to keep an eye on your pets, especially the smaller ones. You wouldn’t want your mouse or lizard to escape.
• Always treat your pets with kindness and respect. If you're rough or aggressive, they may react in kind, either by biting or scratching, or they may become scared and avoid playing with you.

Take your pets for walks. This is also a great way for both you and your pet to get some exercise, and it gives your parents one less thing to worry about. You'll need a leash or pet restraint to keep them from running off or getting into trouble.

• If you have a dog or any pet that needs to relieve itself outside, remember to bring plastic bags to pick up their waste and dispose of it properly.

Bathe and groom your pets. Pets with fur need regular grooming. Brush your pet’s fur daily to remove shedding hair and keep your pet looking clean and neat.

• When grooming your pet, check for fleas, ticks, or any debris that may have gotten caught in their fur. If you find a tick, try to remove it carefully or ask your parents for help. Let your parents know if you find a tick, so they can contact a vet if necessary.
• You can also bathe dogs or cats, though this task can be tricky since they may not enjoy it or might splash water everywhere. Be sure to ask your parents if you want to bathe them. Don’t bathe your pets too often. A monthly bath for dogs and every few months for cats is generally enough.
• For small mammals, reptiles, and pets in cages, simply keep their enclosures clean. They don’t require baths.

• Your parents might ask you to do something. It’s best to follow their instructions without complaining or arguing.
• If you’re unsure about what needs to be done around the house, don’t hesitate to ask. Your parents will surely come up with suitable tasks for you.
• Sometimes, helping your younger siblings with their homework or school projects can be a way to assist your parents. This way, you’re helping your siblings, and your parents get some time for their own tasks.
• Take the initiative to do household chores without waiting for your parents to tell you to.
• Be responsible and ready to take on tasks.
• You’ll likely receive rewards and praise when you complete tasks quietly and without drawing attention.

• Be cautious when using chemicals and sprays for cleaning floors or furniture. Cleaning products can be toxic if not used properly. Always ask your parents before using them and follow the instructions on the product label carefully.