We have a doormat but last weekend the ground was so dry that all the dried grass came in our tent in any case and everyone takes their shoes off at the doormat under threat of death for not doing so
Use the kids? They're closer to the ground and more bendy so it shouldn't hurt their backs to sweep out the tent. And if they know they're going to have to sweep it out they might be more careful about what they drag in. Too young? Both mine could make at least a vague attempt at hoovering and sweeping by the time they were four or so. I've had this increaseingly painful back condition for some years now so it's never been an option in my house for the kids not to pitch in. My 14 year old DS hoovers the house from end to end every week...and it's a big house. The 9 year old sweeps and washes the stairs every week and has done for the last couple of years. No point in killing yourself when there's a ready supply of child labour after all. And it's good training for them not to think that only Mum does the cleaning!
Ours have a 5 minute job each day (empty the bin, water plants, wipe the bath bar over etc). They moan like crazy about it and my daughter (14) will often 'forget' to do her job.
I have got the kids to do the tent carpet before but they do a half hearted constant moaning job. Then it usually ends up in them having a major strop and everyone is in a bad mood.
------------- If you see a family struggling to put up the tent then it must be us!
I have got the kids to do the tent carpet before but they do a half hearted constant moaning job. Then it usually ends up in them having a major strop and everyone is in a bad mood.
I can do strop better than anyone in our family, belive me. And one thing that really sets me off is moaning about doing a fair share of the work. as I constantly tell them, I wasn't put on this planet to clean up after them and listen to their complaints. I also point out if they want to behave like two year olds they'll get treated ditto...7pm bedtime, no pocket money, no going out, no phone...you get the picture. Seriously though I've always made them help out, even when they were two and all they could do was help pick up toys or carry their plate back through to the kitchen. I don't think it's doing them any favours to let them off with this sort of thing tbh. What happens when they get their first flat and discover they have no idea how to clean or cook or look after themselves?
Back to the tent though...how about a rota? Write everything down in a list, mark off the 1/4 (assuming 2 adults and 2 kids) of jobs that you just know you'll have to do and invite them to share the other 3/4s between them? They won't do it of course, you'll still end up doing more than them but at least it will open their eyes to exactly how much needs done. Five minutes a day/one chore for a 14 year old? That's just ludicrous. In two years she'll be old enough to get married and have kids.
We sweep ours whilst away, then last time we came home I laid it on the lawn and hoovered it! If the neighbours had seen me, they would have thought I'd gone mad and started hoovering the grass! Looked much better though!
Quote: Originally posted by Valk_scot on 05/8/2011
Five minutes a day/one chore for a 14 year old? That's just ludicrous. In two years she'll be old enough to get married and have kids.
That's the plan
I had always planned to get all the kids doing bits but my Mum used to make me do loads plus extra schoolwork so I've probably gone the other way. But they do help with dinner prep and youngest is a good cake maker.
When camping our youngest always does the toilet. He opted on our first trip and seems happy enough to do it. I then usually get the others washing up.
Sent daughter to Argos this afternoon to get a Bissell sweeper. That means I can delegate that job too!
------------- If you see a family struggling to put up the tent then it must be us!
Quote: Originally posted by Valk_scot on 05/8/2011
My 14 year old DS hoovers the house from end to end every week...and it's a big house. The 9 year old sweeps and washes the stairs every week and has done for the last couple of years. No point in killing yourself when there's a ready supply of child labour after all. And it's good training for them not to think that only Mum does the cleaning!
------------- Proud owner of a 1987 Sprite Alpine 370 EK, a cheap popup tent and a beloved retro Trio frame tent from the early seventies, called Giraffen.
I have just cleaned our carpet for the Icarus 500 last weekend, ready for our next trip. I gave it a good shake off and then a hoover with the dyson. I have a large drum washing maching so crammed it in and gave it a wash on the 30 degree delicate handwash cycle. Then threw it over the garden furniture to dry off. Came out good as new. While away we just use a dustpan and brush but I am considering the benefit of getting a handheld dusterbuster vac, does anyone have one?