Housework? It's child's play

So you've got all these wonderful whiz-bang appliances. But why restrict their usage to just yourself (presuming your spouse, male, is not interested in using them). Get your kids to learn how to push their buttons. Hello quality time, goodbye couch potatoes.

But, hang on, what's that noise? Is it the sound of pounding feet … as your kids flee at the mention of ‘housework'. Perhaps they need a demo of the wonders of New Age appliances. With a child's natural curiosity for how things work and his obsession with all that is a result of technology, housework is no longer the stuff of sweat and drop-dead exhaustion.

No more images of Ma emerging from the kitchen looking like the crows nested in her hair and announcing, ‘lunch's ready'. (One of the more enduring images that makes children grow wings and flap away at the mention of I-need-help-in-the kitchen.)
With today's appliances, housework is child's play. Almost.

With ‘smart' kitchen devices at our beck and call, housework can even be fun! Appeal to your children's love of technology – perhaps you could compare loading and programming the multifunction dishwasher to the latest PlayStation game. Indeed, many wives believe it's their husband's love of gadgets that pulls them towards the kitchen.

Friday speaks to two families who all participate in housework, assisted by their appliances. In both households, children are initiated into housework from an early age to help them become more responsible and organised.

The Saxena Strategy

Sanjeev Saxena, a Dubai-based banker, says his wife, Mita, a homemaker, keeps her home in mint condition – with a little help from her boys.

The parents of Karan, 16, and Kunal, 14, are firm believers in involving children in housework. The Saxenas believe that by giving their sons household chores, they are making them more responsible, caring and also giving them a sense of independence. Moreover, the boys learn organisational skills and teamwork.

"Boys should learn to help around the house. My boys have been using the microwave to heat water and to make tea and coffee since the age of 10. Now I am confident that both of them can manage the home quite well even if I am away," says Mita.
The Saxenas, who live in Arabian Ranches, have domestic help yet both boys have certain responsibilities, such as loading the dishwasher, wiping and rinsing dishes, vacuuming the house, dusting and even preparing breakfast.

"I would hate to make my sons depend on outside help," says Mita. "We all rely on appliances, though.

"Our sons will live in a world where most women work outside the home. All children must be taught how to be responsible. This means doing a chore without being told, being the kind of person that others in the family can count on to take out the trash or start dinner or clear up the dishes, for instance."

While the boys are hardly great cooks, they are able to make toast or prepare a quick-fix meal. Mita says her sons' interest in housework stems partly from their interest in household gadgets, but also because it has been so much a part of their growing up.

"We were in New Zealand from 2000 to 2002 and that's when the boys became quite independent. Since my husband, Sanjeev, was here in the UAE the three of us would do all the chores in the house. They really wanted to help me and take the load off me.
"In the UAE, we are lucky to have the privilege of household help but in other countries that's not always possible so the boys had to learn [to do the housework] themselves. And today's sophisticated appliances makes the job so much easier."

Start 'em young

Sally Parker, a Dubai-based Pilates instructor and mother of two, believes that by giving kids in household chores at an early age, you can also make it an enjoyable experience for them.

Sally handles the accounts of her husband Stephen's construction business. A self-confessed foodie, she loves to cook, play golf, travel, socialise with friends and is currently honing her home interior skills. You need time to do all of that!
To find that extra time, she has a shrewd strategy – make maximum use of appliances, enlist the help of her family and get the housework done quickly.

Her sons – Hayden, 12, and James, 10 – are important members of the workforce. They have been doing their bit since the age of 5 or 6. However, the workload and responsibility has increased as they've grown.

At first the boys were responsible for tidying and cleaning their bedrooms. Then gradually they were allocated general household chores.

Working with electrical appliances came a bit later, however, because of safety considerations.
"Nothing is set in concrete as to who will do what – but generally [our housework is divided into] men's
work and women's work, although the kids are encouraged to learn both,"says Sally.

"Electrical jobs, outside jobs and work involving heavy lifting are Stephen's domain, but he does all sorts of work – from bathroom cleaning to shopping, hanging out washing or cleaning the cat litter tray; we share.
"I have to say though, most of the directives as to what needs doing come from me. The boys don't seem to see or realise things need doing.

"Ironing is the only chore that the boys and Stephen don't do. The boys tend to do their room and bathroom plus outside chores, like watering plants, cleaning the car and sweeping the yard. They are also responsible for shoe cleaning and sorting out their own bags.

"Washing will only be done if it makes it to the laundry [they need reminding often]. Stephen works long hours and contributes when he is at home, but I try to have the house ship-shape when he gets home, so as to allow him to rest and enjoy his free time.

"Now that we have househelp – after two years with no help – keeping the house in top condition is much easier. The boys and Stephen always clear the kitchen and do the dishes after dinner. Having a dishwasher makes this a less arduous task.

"I think it is important for my kids to help out, as one day they will have to be on their own ... and maybe teach our grandchildren.

Sally says if she were away for a while, certain tasks would be overlooked. "The laundry will make it to the machine but, alas, no further."