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It's summer, the kids are home, and the house is turning into a pigpen. Clothes are piling up, the garbage is accumulating at a frightening pace, and all you want to do is relax, take a breather and enjoy your summer vacation. So how do you get your kids to help along with the chores, and to help make your house a better, more livable area?

Kids have a notoriety for shunning chores and house duties like the plague -- we all did it when we were younger -- but with a few easy and simply steps, ones you might not have thought of, you can have your kids running along with you, getting chores done in no time, leaving plenty of time for fun activities in the summer sun.

How to Keep it Clean during the Long Days of Summer
Most parents whom were asked how they keep their homes so clean now that the kids are around all the time had one simple thing to share: a before-noon checklist. Easy as it may sound, this really works with the kids. Give your kids enough time to get up in the morning, get dressed, eat, and get whichever chores you designate done before noon and this leaves the entire afternoon for fun and spontaneous outings and activities. Offer an incentive for getting the chores done, such as a small increase in their allowance, or watching a special TV show or movie at the end of the day.

Useful Ways to Get Your Children to Help
One tactic that’s really worked for local Jacksonville, Florida, families is taking something away before all chores are done. For instance, change the Wi-Fi password for the home’s internet and they can only get it when they finish the chores for the day. Or, place a pin or password on the cable box for the same practice.

Another great tactic for including your kids in chores is making a game out of it. You could have 'cleaning round-ups,' where you (and your spouse) and the kids round up all the loose items and clothes around the house in a ten-or-fifteen-minute time frame. You can focus on one room, or the whole house. Either way, things get done quick and the kids will see it as just another quick game.

Be Reasonable and Let Go of the Little Things
The best thing to do is be realistic. The house won’t be spotless, nor should it be. The summer is a great time to relax and spend time with the whole family. Do what you can and call First Coast Home Pros for the rest. We handle everything from dishes to carpet cleaning. In fact, we’re always offering great specials to make our service even more affordable. Contact us today for a free estimate.