Well most of it is anyway!
Here’s the situation. You’ve worked hard all week, everyone is still alive and healthy, the bills are paid (or will be), and now it’s time to ~~~CLEAN THE HOUSE.~~~ No matter what the kids ages are (although older is tougher), you DREAD in the most intense of ways even uttering the words, “Ok kids, let’s clean up the house and get the chores done,” or whatever your method is for delivering the perceived death sentence. I hear this dread from parents all the time and I understand because it was the worst thing my Mom could say to me when I was a kid… instantly turning this Saturday morning soccer star into a fit throwing, convulsing, whining, death welcoming little pile of tears and grunts, and sent me stomping off to my room mumbling something about how I was going to die and cleaning is soooooo boring!
Tell me she didn't just say what I think she said!
No one wants to start their weekends off with that kind of drama but it keeps happening… and for some, the weekend doesn’t even start until that drama-sode is over! How sad is that? Well, here are some things to think about to help you muster up the energy and courage to embark on your next quest for a cleaner, tidier household and stop the next round of stomach virus sharing 
1) Congrats! – You deserve an award for even asking your family to help with the keeping of the castle! You have already saved yourself from the wrongs of just doing it all yourself because “you want it done right and as quickly as possible.” So here’s your trophy
Winner!
2) Whether you’re getting much help with cleaning or not, deep down there is a feeling of guilt. That guilt stems from the idea that you should be doing more for your family and you really should be doing a better job of keeping the house clean and beautiful. You may even go so far as to think you’re wrong to expect help. That’s all in your head…SCRAP IT! Your family will pick up on that and you will not be able to approach the subject with the level of confidence necessary to solicit the help you need, hence… increased drama!
3) You are teaching your kids so much more than how to clean! This is teamwork! You’re teaching them team building skills, social skills, communication, good hygiene, time management, organization, respect….it’s practically endless. You are helping them build habits that will serve them well the rest of their days on this planet… you are being a great parent!!!
Success
So, the next time you get ready to announce the castle cleaning, smile and think of it this way… it’s not so much about the cleaning, really. Focus on the end result… GOOD HABITS taught by you, the GREAT Parent! You’re kids may start to realize it’s not really that big of a deal and the more they do it the faster they get and the less they have to think about it. REALITY BONUS: They might even realize that keeping up with things a little better during the week makes cleaning day wayyy easier! Triumph!
REMEMBER: You are a GREAT PARENT and the drama is all in their heads… not yours! 
TKMom
