I finally went through my “Parents” magazine for October and came across an interesting tid-bit about how tidy your house is. Apparently, how clean you keep your house will reflect on your kids in the future. Here’s the quote:
According to a research report in the “American Economic Review,” children who are raised in a neat, orderly home grow up to be more successful in their school and work lives than kids who live in a messy environment.”
Those are powerful words. I believe that homes that are clean and clutter-free offer better environments for the people who live in them so I guess I’m not surprised by this finding that it affects children too.
Cleanup routines improve a child’s ability to stick with a task and plan well later in life,” says Dr. Jeanne Brooks-Gunn, who led the review.”
So parents, let’s get out kids to help with all this clean up. Start with getting them to help make his/her bed in the morning, put the toys back at night, put his/her dishes in the sink after dinner. I think if we start when they are young it will make it easier for all of us in the end.
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ABOUT ALICIA: Alicia is the founder of Balancing Motherhood.com. Last year, she managed to stay sane while completing an MBA, working full-time, blogging, and still baking amazing birthday cakes — all while raising a young family at home.
lou says
Yes! Finally vindication. Next time one of my many friends that do – is giving me crap for my house being so clean I am throwing this back at her. Seriously, I love it … my answer to all the wall art and magnets that say something silly about messy houses = happy moms/wives/kids/etc. 😉
Love your site, btw … my first time here.
Alicia at BalancingMotherhood.com says
Thanks for the comment lou!
Sarah says
I love clean houses but can’t keep mine that way. I’m a pack rat or just lazy. I’m trying though. Great article. Makes me want to try harder.