3 Tricks For Chores I Hate


I stared at them. Hating them. Wondering how much longer I could put it off.

Another month? Maybe a year?

Everyone has one. One chore they can’t stand. Mine is ironing. I put that puppy off as long as I can get away with it.  Unlike the day to day chores I can do that for quite a while. According to a recent poll in my Big Family Moms group, 100% of women have at least one chore they hate and most of them are daily, if not weekly chores. The laundry is the big winner in the hated chore category, followed by the dishes & mopping.

So what’s a big family mom to do when the chore must be done and deep down inside she HATES that chore?

There are 3 things that actually do help me when it comes to facing the one chore I despise above all others. The chore still gets done and I’m less irritated and in turn less grouchy to be around and protecting myself from becoming a bitter, resentful, unpleasant wife & mother.

Flip The Script

A change of perspective really helped me look at the chore itself differently. This may sound corny, but hear me out. Rather than say internally, “Ugh, I HAVE to iron, again!” I choose to say, “I GET to iron again.” It’s the principle of counting your blessings. I get to be blessed with a husband who loves me as I am. I get to serve him in this small yet meaningful way by helping him have a selection of nice pressed slacks for church ready to go.  I am blessed to have a husband to iron pants for at all.

This flipped script has actually changed my perspective and in turn my feelings over time.  I’ve chosen to attach a new meaning to the chore. One of seeing the person I love and am gladly choosing to serve. Above all I know it is God whom I serve as I ‘do all things unto Him’ (Colossians 3:23)

Positive Pairing

A helpful trick is to connect something positive to something less enjoyable such as listening to a favorite podcast, audio book or youtube channel while doing a certain chore. This positive pairing helps motivate myself and create positive reinforcement. Other examples could be listening to favorite music that is upbeat, worship focused or simply enjoyable for you. I often put on a ‘dance party’ in the last half hour before bed to burn off the last of my younger children’s energy and get some things done at the same time.

Delegate

As a full time stay at home mom who homeschools seven of her eleven school aged children, I have chosen to embrace the management of our home as part of my service to God & my family. I used to really struggle with this and my home management was a stressful mess until I changed this one thing. Now, I run my home like a pro. One trick is: I delegate what I reasonably can.   In seasons of post-partum tenderness, I ask  my husband to step up to do the heavy lifting & mopping. I train my children from a young age to take on responsibility with age appropriate chores. I know I can hire a monthly cleaner if I choose to. 

These three tricks help change my perspective, motivation and stress level through the many seasons of big family mom life. The ironing gets done and I am growing in skill & grace as I do chores I (used to) hate.

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If this blog blessed you feel free to join my Big Family Moms community where I have lots more resources and encouragement for moms like you overcoming struggles and growing in grace. Here's the link if you like.

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