By Kathryn Peck
Every morning I make my bed. It’s a habit, and a good one at that. I love the look of my room when the bed is made each morning. It’s as if the day has officially begun. But then I glance into my children’s rooms and my unruffled serenity washes away when I notice their covers are twisted, their pillows are on the floor, and their dirty socks are stuffed between the bed and the wall.
But then I glance into my children’s rooms and my unruffled serenity washes away when I notice their covers are twisted, their pillows are on the floor, and their dirty socks are stuffed between the bed and the wall.
It was time to pass my bed-making habit onto my children. No longer will I kiss them to bed at night and feel a twinge of anxiety in knowing that their top sheet is somewhere on the floor and, instead, they’re just sleeping with the comforter. (No more!!) Would you believe my 10-year-old son actually had the nerve to try to sleep with his decorative throw pillow last night because he didn’t want to pick up his regular pillow off of the floor?!
Setting my exacting impulses aside for the moment, there are benefits to kids having chores. Chores can improve a child’s self-esteem, and with that sense of accomplishment, children understand that they are able to make a difference. And one of the best introductory chores for children? Making their bed in the morning.
I began this endeavor by teaching my son how to put the quilt on his bed. In the interest of full disclosure, that was a mistake. Because he went on to just sleep with the quilt alone and left everything else tucked in a ball at the foot of his bed under the covers.
So, I started over with the sheets, talking through each step as I showed him how to put on and/or straighten out the sheets. I pointed out the rectangle shape of the sheets and blankets, and how it must match up to the rectangle bed. Believe me, it didn’t come naturally, and it certainly doesn’t look nice seeing the covers hanging on the floor. Some sheet sets have a tag that says “top/bottom” on them, which is a nice touch.
After he got the hang of the sheets, we moved onto the comforter, finished with the organization of the pillows and stuffed animals.
Because making the bed is a daily chore, it’s easy to get into the habit of doing it. It didn’t take long for my son to get into the habit, and I even overheard him helping his younger brother make the bed recently. (Music to my ears!) His little brother straightens out his comforter, but hey, he’s 5, so I consider that a great starting point.
This sense of accomplishment each morning can set the tone for the day and it helps with a motivation to tackle other chores.
This sense of accomplishment each morning can set the tone for the day and it helps with a motivation to tackle other chores.
Of course, expectations should be realistic. It will take reminders, and it won’t be great at first. But it will happen, and so will a tiny bit of pride within your child on a job well done.
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About the author: Kathryn is the owner of Bicycle Pie and mom of 4 little ones. Also a writer, editor, and former owner of one of Boston's premiere baby boutiques, she continues to write about motherhood, children's products, family life, and all other things that test our skills and patience as parents.
Photo credit: iStock.com/Imgorthand
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