I have been training my 2 oldest sons(10 & 9) to do their own laundry for the last 2 months. It has been very successful. The boys each have a designated “laundry” day to wash all their laundry. All laundry must be washed, folded, and put away before 5 PM. The first couple of times, I had to help them sort their clothes and aid them in the laundry process. They are to sort their clothes the night before in the 2 separate baskets. Only once has my oldest son has chosen not to do his laundry one particular week. However, we will not wear dirty clothes. So, when you run out of clothes, you just have to wear the ones you don’t like. LOL! This has yet to happen again! Call it tough love or what have you but it works for me.
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My experiences with boys doing their own laundry is that all dark clothing is a good idea. I bought him dark grey sox and underwear and got rid of all the white tees and replaced them with dark colors. Then when they do the “all-in-one” loads they don’t damage their clothes.
Their future wives will thank you! I can’t tell you how nice it has been for me to have a husband who knows how to do laundry and pitches in. Thanks for teaching your boys how to care for a household. Real men do do laundry!
That’s great. I wanted to teach mine, but I got a new washer and dryer in the spring and I actually like doing it. They do tons of other chores for me, so I don’t mind doing the laundry. I will however, teach them soon. It is just a good discipline. I am sure it is a help to you with five!
This is a great idea! My three oldest help with laundry all the time (I will often pay $0.50 if they will empty/sort the load that is in the dryer, transfer a load from the washer to the dryer, and start a new load). I haven’t focused on them doing their own, individual laundry. That might be something to pursue. Do they keep their laundry in their rooms until it’s their turn? Can they keep up if they only do it one day a week?
Interesting. 🙂
What a very clever idea!
I may have to train Mini-Me to do her own laundry. 🙂
How old is old enough? Or better yet, how young is too young?
Thanks for the inspiration!!