Having seven children can lead to some pretty serious mess in the kitchen. For our family it soon became clear that the kids would need to learn proper kitchen manners. Teenagers can load the dishwasher, and even wash dishes by hand, but what are the younger children capable of? All children can help in some degree, by assigning the correct job, to the correct kid.

When dinner is finished and everyone is full, the good time is over. Now it is time for the pile of dirty plates and pots to be washed and put away. The first step in training the kids to help is assigning jobs. Make a quick mental list of what needs to be done. For example:

1. Leftovers need to be put in containers for refrigeration. 

2. Plates need to be cleared from table and remains put in trash. 

3. Dishes need rinsing and organizing before loading dishwasher (or washed by hand!) 

4. Table and countertops need washing and drying. 

5. Floor needs sweeping. 

6. Wash remaining dishes. 

7. Dirty towels etc. need to go to laundry. 

8. Garbage taken out. 

9. Spot washing cupboards, handles , garbage can or microwave( this list could be endless really!)

10.Washed dishes need drying and putting away.

Once you have decided on your list, you will need to decide who is capable of which job. Number 1 could be easily handled by an 8 year old boy or girl(who has just washed their hands of course!). Job #2 could be handled in stages by a pair of 5 and 6 year olds, or by a single teenager. In order for this plan to work effectively, the children will need constant supervision and assistance. I find it best to supervise while I wash dishes.

By spending this time with your children, you are teaching them what your expectations are. They will see the work and responsibilities that are involved with running a kitchen for a family. Soon they will want to keep things tidy the same way a Mom does. Then you can establish routines that they will follow even after preparing an after school snack. It may be helpful to set up a chore board where each child is assigned specific duties. When they become bored of their chore, alternate jobs with the other children.  

Hopefully these ideas will help you teach your children how to respect the kitchen. It has certainly worked for our family and I am confident it will work for yours!