As the kids have been getting older, one of the things we’ve been trying to instill is the idea of helping with things around the house. We don’t want them to be just consumers of our home, but active participants as well. This is their home and family and we want them to be involved in every aspect of it.
We want our kids to have every opportunity, but we want those opportunities to be grounded in the realism of life. To understand that life is fun, but that a life well lived also consists of work.
So we do our best to find ways to let them pitch in. Sometimes it is as simple as feeding the dog, putting laundry in the washer, or just keeping their spaces clean. It helps them with an awareness of what’s going on around them, and in cultivating an attitude of gratefulness for what they have. {Read: We don’t want them to go to college in total shock when a house elf doesn’t show up to handle all their laundry for them.}
These are great laminated and added to the side of the fridge to help the kids remember what they need to do each day. {you can grab the free printables here.}
Like all things in a family, it’s a process. And we have our good days and our bad. We also have our, uh, enabler days. I’m We’re working on it. But we are committed to the idea of not raising kids that don’t understand their value in the home.
One of the favorite chores for the offspring is the vacuuming. It really all started with them running around like banshees when either Ashley or I would vacuum. People were tripping over cords, there was screaming, and threats were made. Things escalated quickly. It became a game, and that game was not helpful. In fact, opposite of helpful. Granted it’s entertaining, especially when the dog {Chloe} gets involved, but we really weren’t involving them in the process.
But how could we involve the kids? Most vacuums are too heavy and I’m not keen on kids unplugging and plugging things back in.
Yet this was the chore they all begged to do.
Then we learned about the Hoover cordless vacuum made by our friends at TTI (the same home of our favorite RYOBI tools.)
And then this happened…..
Emerson may or may not have asked to keep this in her room with her best please face after breaking out her cooking apron. It’s like a magical robot vacuum, without the robot.
Because the kids were all fighting over who would use it, next.
Be our guest.
The vacuum is light and runs on a battery so there’s no cord issue. Now I have no excuse to ignore that back portion of the closet that our corded vacuum didn’t reach, just because I was in too much of a hurry to change plugs.
See ya, dog hair.
This little guy was a great little surprise for getting the kids involved in something they had been dying to do. Not to mention we were pleasantly pleased with how much easier it was to vacuum without all the unplugging and replugging. Timesaver. And super cool.
We’ll see how long the whole offering-to-vaccum-around-the-house-goes. We give it one week, but we’ll relish in it while it lasts.
There’s always bribery with chocolate.
Oh, and if any of you are wondering if I pitch in, here’s proof. My glamorous vacuum photo. I may or may not have stolen Emmy’s apron.
I’m taken, ladies.
Ashley bribed me with football tickets. It’s so much fun, I offered!
It comes with two batteries, which is more than enough to vacuum a nice sized home and the multi surface head makes navigating the new hardwoods and tile easy. You can learn all about it on the Home Depot website or just pick one up at The Home Depot. {And Hoover even offers a 30 day free trial!}
Want to know the best part? Someone is getting a new vacuum!
The Home Depot wants to give away one air cordless vacuum to one of our lucky winners. To enter just follow the rafflecopter instructions below. Good Luck!
Mandy says
My husband and I were just talking about how to get the kiddos involved in jobs around the house on a set schedule. Both girls are great at dusting, but we need to work on sweeping and cleaning toilets! They LOVE vacuuming, but same thing over her…ours is too heavy!
emily says
I try to involve our 6 kiddos (ages 2-8) in chores, but I must say I do enjoy vacuuming!
jennifer says
my kids empty the wastebaskets and the dishwasher!
Catherine says
Our family shares laundry chores.
nicole says
Our kids help with setting/clearing the table, feeding the cats, and taking out the trash. I’m sure they’d love to vacuum the kitchen floor with this vacuum!
Regina says
Wow! I have the same issue! heavy sweeper that only mom can handle! My little girls would love that!
Krista says
My girls, four and six, put away clean dishes, clean the bathtub and bathroom mirror, and put away their clothes and toys.
Amy N says
Oh this is perfect! My daughter, too, has asked to help vacuum, but ours is too heavy for her. No Cord! Yes Please!!!!
Thanks for the chance
Elizabeth smith says
Oh please me!!!!
Cindy W says
My daughter is only 6 mos so she doesn’t have any chores… yet! I do a lot of the housework since I stay home, but I HATE taking out the trash and emptying the litter box. Those are my husband’s responsibility!
Jennifer D. says
I’d love to win this! We just moved into a new house and our vacuum cleaner was broken in the move!!
Raylynn says
My son does several chores each week. We started him feeding the dog when he was 4, and added on as he got older. I haven’t actually vacuumed our house in several years since that is one of his chores.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Elle says
We all pitch in with cleaning the house, washing dishes, setting/clearing the table and taking care of the pets.
Dianna A says
My kids help with laundry and dishes daily as well as keeping up with their own rooms. Of course they help with vacuuming and dusting and whatever other chore I might need at the moment.
Karin K says
We have them vacuum all the time, and now we’re moving into bathroom cleaning.
jan says
we have always done Saturday chores together as a family… we all pitch in and clean the house from top to bottom. Bathrooms… floors… laundry. When we are done on the inside we move to the outside.
Regi says
Love the pictures! What a great new household tool!!!
Meredith Martin says
This would be SO much easier than my heavy pull behind!
Elizabeth Byler Younts says
Laundry. Washing dishes & floor. Cleaning up after dinner. TOY TOY TOY pick up. Tidy room. Bathroom counter. Make beds. Now…if all those things happened consistently!
Dana B says
My kids are 6 and 9 and are in charge of their own rooms. They help with folding laundry, unloading the dishwasher, dusting, vacuuming, pet care… They love to help with everything except the bathrooms!
Jen H says
They help unload dishwasher, clean up toys, feed kitty and dust..even my 13 month old loves a wet rag to wash walls 🙂
KELLI GUYTAN says
I try to get our now 5 year old to do a bit of everything. He does like to vacuum and the idea of no cords is a refreshing one! 🙂
Patty Page says
The kids are older and work outside jobs, so I do most of the chores. They do their laundry and are responsible for their bedrooms.
Susan Smith says
Oh my! I would love this!
Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces says
Fun giveaway…I’d love to win! I’m always happy to have family involvement!
Karen C says
The kiddos do setting/clearing table, sweeping, emptying dishwasher, cleaning their bathroom (and of course their rooms), folding their own laundry, general tidying up.
Lauren D says
I try to get my husband on board to help with chores mostly on the weekends. He takes care of the outside and garage, and is always willing to load the dishwasher for me! 🙂 Good man. Now to get my bulldog to contribute.
MichelleD says
I need to be more proactive with the children being involved in chores! However, my son does the dog walking & feeding and my daughter is responsible to unload the dishwasher! So… I guess that’s a start!! 🙂
Karen J says
We all share the laundry, trash duty, cooking but alas, I can’t get them to do the floors so this would be so great.
Allison says
No kids yet, but my husband and I try to split all chores.
Queen Lisa says
I have teenagers. I can’t even get them off the couch! Oh, how I need this vacuum.
DeeAnna Child says
With five kids (crazy, I know), ages 12-3 they are involved in a lot of chores. My favorite, though, is that they and their dad clean the kitchen every night while I take a break. So nice!
Tanya says
Laundry for sure! They have to make their beds, clean up the yard after the dogs, and keep their rooms tidy. Thanks for an awesome giveaway!
Michelle says
I have a six-year-old who loves to mop. He would vacuum a lot more if he had a vacuum more his size 🙂
Lauren says
When the girls were little and still at home I had them help with dishes, keeping their rooms clean, laundry, and things such as that. Now that we’re empty nesters, I do most of the cleaning, but my husband does help with a lot when he’s home on the weekends. Great giveaway! Thanks for the opportunity to win. Sure would be nice to not have to haul the heavy vacuum around the house! 🙂
Amanda H says
My 2 year old has to pick up her toys and my husband does a clean sweep of the house every Sunday. He’s also in charge of lugging the heavy clothes baskets up and downstairs.
Kelly says
I need this so badly!!! We have an ancient vacuum that doesn’t really work… and every time I turn it on, my kids start screaming because it is so loud 🙁
Elena says
My husband cleans the floors and my son takes the trash out
michele says
We are working on having our girls help with laundry and their rooms and for some odd reason they love mopping. Its all a work in progress!
Tiffany says
Our kids are little, so we’re just starting this. So far, they mostly help put things away, which is nice, but I can’t wait to put ’em to work a little more. 😉
rachel b says
My kids do all the picking up, and with 3 boys its amazing the things they can shred…that job is 24/7.. I have a chart to separate rooms to each kid, and I have a chart of not daily chores that they can earn a little money if they want..
Kari says
This would help my girls clean up all their crumbs.
Nicole Chance says
I have been using a dust buster around my house for almost a year since my vacuum quit working! Would love this! Thanks for the chance!
Angela W says
What chores do you involve your family in? I involve my family in cleaning up after the dogs – dog hair is my pet peeve. Love the dogs, just not the fur balls. This would make it a lot easier for family members. Thanks for this offer to win!
Barbara says
Would love this cute vacuum
Allison says
My almost three year old has loved to help vacuum since he could waddle. (The cats, not so much.) We didn’t even bother with a play vacuum but had him use ours. This cordless verison would be a great addition to our (dusty, fur lined by 2 lovely kitties) house! :0)
lacy says
Our family chores include dusting, vacuuming and scrubbing the floor- all while listening to Bob Marley. That has become our “cleaning music.”
hollisamps says
Vacuuming and laundering! They’re still too little to do much more, but man, they can sort a mean load of laundry!
Amber says
Our vacuum just bit the dust. Hahaha … which would be good if it actually was still biting dust, but it went kapoot, goner! We need this giveaway! 🙂 In our family of 6, everyone is involved in all the chores! We live here, homeschool here, work, and play here, so we all have a vested interest in keeping it peaceful and a place that we like hanging out in. Mostly I always have a crew of happy helpers. (Although ‘poo duty’ for the pets may not be a favorite chore.)
Maria says
Well my only kid is 13 months old, so no vacuuming yet, but I am pretty excited for that day in the future. She loves to help pick up her toys and put them in baskets! Which is super helpful. Until she dumps them back out immediately after :-/
Ashley says
Actually, vacuuming and dusting.
Kenna Routh says
Looks like a must have in any household!!
Jill says
Our family works together as a team to get the chores done around the house –it is the only way as working parents and growing children have any hope at a clean home
ashley @ the handmade home says
Ha! So true! Our home is torn apart right now… and we just cleaned. :/
Becky M says
In addition to cleaining chores, I’m having the kids start learning how to cook.
merry z. says
I like the kids to do the dusting.
Nicole Dz says
The chores we include the family in is dusting, vacuuming, picking up and organizing, and wiping down the walls and such.
Susanj says
My family is involved with all of the household chores (laundry, dusting, vacuuming, dishes, changing linens, and yard work). My daughter loves to iron and that is music to my iron-hating ears!
Edwina says
There are no kids in our household but my husband has always been great about sharing household duties!
Brandy says
Looks great!
Brandy says
At this pint the kids are just responsible for cleaning up their messes.
Maranda Miner says
My 3 year old picks up toys and helps empty the dish washer.
Donna Burkel says
I involve my family in every chore I can. The problem is getting them to do it. Trying to teach my 3 year old Granddaughter to pick up what she was playing with before she gets out something else. Thank you for the chance to win a Hoover Vac, it would help out so much! Blessings!
Donna Burkle says
Oops spelled my own name wrong! It is Burkle!
ilona t says
cleaning their rooms!
Christa says
Almost everything!!
Elizabeth says
Would love this because…cats.
Rachel says
Hey I did all the entry options but when I tried to pin the image, Pinterest said there was an error and the link was “blocked because it may lead to inappropriate content”.
I didn’t know y’all were so inappropriate! 😛 Not sure if others are having the issue or if i’m the 1000000 person to comment about it but wanted to say something just in case
Bridget J says
Ours is only 2.5 but he helps me take his folded laundry to his room and helps me empty the silverware from the dishwasher. We are trying!
Teri Bush says
grandbabies love to vaccum! <3
janet says
OMG I would LOVe one of these!
sydni says
My husband cleans all of the bathrooms. He’s a dream come true.
Megan S. says
We have a lab, so sweeping is a family event around here… and dishes.
Julie says
The dusting, vacuuming and window cleaning are done by the kids. As much as I hate the bathrooms, I don’t feel like making them do that just yet.
Nadine Anderson says
The family, aka husband, sometimes helps me fold clothes. I would love to win this vacuum! Thank you!
Katherine says
I involve my family in any chores that they can do well enough that I don’t have to surreptitiously come along behind and re-do! Mostly tidying their own things, feeding the dogs, etc.
Cindy says
I wish I had as much fun vacuuming as your family!!
Heather says
My son is not quite 2 but he loves to Swiffer! We modified one of our Swiffer sweepers to be just his size and he goes all over our floors with it! We have play vacuums and dust-busters, lawn-mowers…we just hope his love of cleaning sticks with him as he gets older!
Cindy says
The grandkids are really good about clearing dishes after we have dinner.
Jackie says
Would love this! The kids would too!
Lucy says
Would love one of these for our house! So convenient!
KatieV says
Great giveaway! BTW, I tried to “Pin it” but Pinterest wouldn’t let me because it thought the image was questionable content. ? Funny.
Tracey says
Our children are 8 and under and they have been helping with chores since they were about 2. They love helping at that age so we start them early and keep adding as they mature. The first “chore” they all did was empty the silverware from the dishwasher. They thought climbing up on a stool to sort silverware was a blast!
Tammy C says
I really wished my family would chip in more. Maybe this vacuum would entice them!
Ashleigh Hall says
We involve our kids in most of the household chores except vacuuming because our vacuum is too heavy for them! What a great vacuum… and cordless, yes please!
Desi says
Sounds awesome. Thanks for the chance to win!
Kate W says
Right now my husband and I split our duties, normally I take “inside” chores and he tackles the outside maintenance!
Dion says
We have chore sticks ( cat litter, vacuum, do dishes, wipe bathroom sink ect…) that our boys turn in each week to earn money. This has worked great for us:)
Amy says
My kids love to help as long with things like dusting, vacuuming, and folding towels. Toy pickup is another story!
Summer says
This is the best pic ever! Crossing my fingers for a win!
PENNY SITTEN says
Love this vacuum!!!
Caroline says
My children help with all the household chores except laundry and our master bedroom.
sangeetha says
My kids help with laundry and any garden work like weeding and raking etc… They are still young so have not asked much of them yet
eva scott says
my 5 year old actually loves vacuuming! And sometimes he’ll help me put clothes away. 🙂
Sara says
I have been using a shop vac to vacuum our home for the past 11 years. Not only would this little number be an excellent upgrade, it would also help our three little’s get involved in the household chores.
susie says
Wish my hubby would vacuum!
rachel says
Ha ha, loved the “I’m taken ladies” …
We do the same type of stuff…some days it’s golden, sometimes not.
Sarah Miller says
My kiddos love to help me with the dusting!
HS says
We share laundry and cleaning duty.
Jaime says
They help with everything 🙂
Michelle Byrd says
Maybe this would make me actually turn the vacuum on and use it!
Carolyn Kelley says
Since we don’t have any kids, my husband and I split the chores. I am trying to get my puppies to learn to put their toys away and wipe their feet when they come in, but so far no luck.
Lenore says
My kids are all grown now, and unfortunately I never made them do a thing, what a mistake! It is great that you are starting this young with yours!
Rose L. says
We always had chores assigned when I was a kid and I did the same with my son. It is a life experience education.
Marlo says
My son loves to vacuum but plugging and unplugging make me nervous. I do it for him but it’s a pain and really the sweeper is still too heavy for him. This is a great solution!
Sandra Bouie says
So nice that they now offer lighter/cordless vacuums so that our children can help with the housework. I need one of these! And some willing participants! 🙂
Debbie Flowers says
My children wash dishes, clean their room, dust, and vacuum. And other chores as assigned. 🙂
Joan says
Since it is just me…..well, that means I am involved in Everything. Cleaning, cooking, planning, fixing, decorating, repairing…..you name it, I’m doing it. And most of the time I enjoy it.
LinhC says
yardwork
mary says
the only chore i try to make my family follow is…try not to get crumbs everywhere! it oftentimes doesn’t work- which is why this giveaway is wonderful!
Jen says
my 4 yo helps me to dust using an old sock on her hand …
Debbie w says
Trash, recycling, putting up laundry, and clean up messes are biggies at our house!
margaret says
Ha ha still working on the helping with chores. But my 5 year old does put the cutlery away while I put the other dishes away.
Lindsay says
Our daughter is only 15 months old, so she doesn’t get into too many chores. Unless removing sandwich bags from the box is considered a chore. =)
But, I will gladly let anyone who wants to do dishes, have at it!
Shannon says
Lots of picking up off the floor!
Amy A. says
Looks like fun, thanks for the giveaway!
Scarlette M. says
whoo hoo! I need my kiddos need to help out more where it counts.
Melissa says
My toddlers help pick up toys.
lesa schell says
i want to win this for my birthday yeah!!
Kelly says
Well…that’s the thing. I’m the enabler at our house. So, we’re working on it. The only chore that is consistently done (with continual coaxing by us) is taking his dirty dishes to the counter. It’s a start. 🙂
Maureen says
I have a small house with wood floors/rugs but I have a serious back injury and I think this might really make a difference in vaccuming in comfort- cool!
Lyns says
I can usually get at least one of the kids to unload the dishwasher or wipe the table off. We are working on getting everyone more involved with the housework. This vacuum would be a great start!
Anna C. says
Right now my kids clean their rooms, put their clothes away and make their beds. They help dust and clean up their toys throughout the house. We will be adding more chores to their lists here soon.
Brenda J says
My husband is quite involved with chores around the house. He vacuums and cleans the walls (we live in a log home) and at different times he can be found doing the laundry, loading/unloading the dishwasher and a myriad of other things!
Samantha says
I love to have all my kids help out with chores, they are not as quick to make a mess and will think twice about going through so many towels (when they have to wash and fold them) using so many cups (when they have to wash them) and leaving shoes, socks and backpacks out (when they have to clean the living room and put things away).
barbara n says
I involve my family in all aspects of keeping the house tidy and clean!
Andrea S. says
My kids are very little, but they always clean up their toys and clear the table.
Heather E says
Ooooh, a cordless vacuum! Going to check this out, for sure!
Lisa says
I just begged my son to vacuum for me last week! I’m hoping this will help.
Heather says
Yes. lol My husband cooks our meals, cleans the bathrooms, handles our yard, and does his own laundry. I do the grocery shopping, organizing, decorating, my laundry, most of the baking, and I fix things around the house. My shorties (9 and 7) do their laundry, dust, set/clear the table, help with cooking, baking, and yard work. We all help out with everything as needed. We’re a family and we’re in it together. 🙂
Stephanie says
My kids have both been doing their own laundry since they turned 9. They also each have a bathroom they have to clean, and they keep their own rooms picked up. There are extra chores they do in the summer and if I need extra help, like when we are having company over and I have a lot of things to do.
Kimberly says
My daughter is only 3, so she can’t help out with a lot yet, but she does like to assist with laundry. She pulls the clothes out of the dryer and sorts the socks while I fold the rest of the clothes.
Kathryn says
I need some kids so they can do some chores 🙂
Callie says
Cleaning!!!
Laronda B says
Our kids don’t actually run the vacuum, but they do have to clear the floor in the living room so that we *can* vacuum. Every time, my middle child says, “It’s so beautiful, can we keep it like this always?” Somehow that never works out…
Mikaela says
We encourage our 3-year-old to pick up her toys and to bring her dishes to the sink after eating. Sometimes she does and sometimes she doesn’t. Such is life with a 3-year-old. However, she always loves to do any cleaning that involves a rag and a spray bottle.
Kari Cox says
I had already decided to add this vacuum to my Christmas list!
Lisa Mothersead says
Love cordless vacuums and that your kids help. Thanks for the giveaway chance!
Neena says
We all participate in making, then cleaning up, dinner!
Deanna says
I involve my whole family in the housework…hubby does dishes (at least until he installs the new dishwasher), kids sweep, clear table, clean their bathroom, and help vacuum (they love it)…I do what’s left (laundry, mopping, de-cluttering)…
Erika W. says
My kids enjoy sweeping, mopping and vacuuming. They also put away all their clean clothes and clean their rooms.
Lisa A fury says
We have a chore chart and everyone has their main chores, and we alternate a few weekly. This system has worked for many years.
CL Smith says
My favorite feature is “Multi-Floor Cleaning gives you the power to clean from carpet to hard floors” because we have carpet, tile and wood floors!
CL Smith says
My kids are involved in daily chores like washing dishes, taking out the trash, and vacuuming. They all want to do the vacuuming lol
Kelly says
I know this post is from a few weeks back, but I am looking into getting this vacuum… how is the noise level? My kiddos HATE our vacuum and scream when I turn it on because it is “too loud”. Any insight? Thanks.