Latest news with #chores
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
5 Easy Ways to Make Household Cleaning Feel Less Like a Chore
Believe it or not, there are ways to make mundane chores feel glamorous. It's safe to say, not many people look forward to completing household chores, especially at the end of a long day or week. Unless you find scrubbing, sweeping, sorting, and folding relaxing, you likely could use some motivation to tackle these tasks. Imagine if your weeknight decluttering session could feel less like a dreaded chore and more like an act of self-care that boosts your mood and makes your space look better. Romanticizing your chore routine doesn't mean you need to pretend you're passionate about cleaning or tidying up. It simply involves finding small ways to infuse mundane tasks with a sense of enjoyment. It also sends a message to yourself that you deserve to find joy in these daily activities. Related: 6 Simple Ways to Make Everyday Chores Feel Better Using Chore Decor How to Romanticize Your Weekly Chore Routine Try one of these simple ways to elevate your cleaning routine. After using these tips consistently, hopefully, your household chores will become less daunting and more relaxing. 1. Listen to Music or an Audiobook Music can easily transform your energy and mood, so use it as motivation to accomplish your to-do list. Before you grab the mop or start folding that pile of clean laundry, put on a playlist that matches the atmosphere you want to create. Try jazz to make your kitchen feel like a café or throwback tunes from when you were younger to give you energy to tackle cleaning the bathroom. If you want to be distracted from chores, consider listening to an audiobook that transports you to another time or place while you wash the windows. Whichever you prefer, have it ready before embarking on your chores. 2. Set the Scene with Scent Lighting a candle may not help you clean the bathroom faster, but it can certainly make the experience more enjoyable. If you prefer diffusers, consider filling yours with essential oils designed to energize and motivate, such as lemon, peppermint, or eucalyptus. While it has a calming effect, infusing your space with lavender may be a good idea while performing your nightly cleaning routine, as it can signal you to wind down. 3. Dress Up for the Occasion This tip might sound odd, but there's something to be said about being more productive after putting on something that is both comfy and cute. This is a personal choice—your perfect chore outfit could be a sundress, matching workout set, or even a pair of clean pajamas. Some people say wearing shoes makes them feel more productive when doing things around the house. If you're curious to try it but don't like wearing shoes inside, consider designating a pair of shoes or hard-soled slippers to wear only inside the house. 4. Use Fun and Functional Tools It's hard to feel glamorous while using a plastic toilet brush. But, swapping it with a bamboo-handled brush stored in a sleek ceramic holder might entice you to clean the bowl more often. This isn't to say you should replace all of your cleaning tools now, but it's something to consider over time. Remember that small changes, like pouring your DIY cleaning solutions into glass spray bottles or dusting items with an old-fashioned feather duster, can make a big difference in your cleaning experience. Splurging on a set of rainbow-colored microfiber cloths instead of using paper towels not only makes cleaning feel more whimsical, but it's better for both the environment and your budget. 5. Reward Yourself While you're doing something nice for your home, you can also treat yourself. Rewarding yourself for completing a chore could involve sipping an iced latte while reorganizing your closet or cleaning for 20 minutes, then allowing a 5-minute social media scroll. You can also connect specific rewards with certain tasks, like calling your best friend to chat while switching over the sheets or enjoying a piece of chocolate while meal prepping for the week. The goal is to train your brain to anticipate these rituals, not because the chores are inherently fun, but because they are paired with something you love. Read the original article on Better Homes & Gardens Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Woman's Fiancé Calls Her 'Lazy' for Wanting to Hire a Full-Time Maid. He Thinks She Should 'Do More Around the House'
A woman on Reddit admits she's burned out from balancing work, cooking and housework in a two-dog household Her fiancé objects to hiring a full-time maid, calling her 'lazy' despite their ability to afford it She questions whether it's fair to split finances 50/50 while still being expected to handle most of the choresA woman turns to the Reddit community for advice following a heated disagreement with her fiancé over hiring a full-time maid. She shares that both she and her partner have good jobs and split their finances evenly, but she actually earns a bit more than he does. They live together with two large dogs, a golden retriever and a border collie, which means their house gets messy quickly. 'When we first moved in, I took on most of the cleaning and cooking,' she writes in her post, explaining how she enjoyed cooking for her fiancé at first, and sometimes they would order takeout when she was too tired. But the demands of juggling work, house chores and cooking eventually became overwhelming for her. 'After months of juggling work, house chores, and cooking — sometimes even having to cook while in the middle of meetings — I burned out. Completely,' she confides. The couple agreed to hire a part-time maid, which she says isn't expensive where they live, and it helped lighten her load. However, the maid doesn't come every day, so she still finds herself making breakfast for both of them and serving it before he wakes up. Recently, she suggested hiring someone to clean every weekday to keep the house in shape and relieve some of her stress. Her fiancé's reaction was less than supportive. 'He got really upset and said it wasn't necessary, that I'm being lazy, and that I'm trying to avoid any responsibility for housework,' she reveals. She points out that she has shouldered more than her fair share of the chores for a long time. 'When I used to cook, he would wash the dishes but let's be real, cooking a full meal is a lot more work than just washing dishes,' she says. Despite her efforts to explain her feelings and the benefits of more frequent help, her fiancé remains unconvinced. 'He still thinks it's not justified to have daily help and that I should do more around the house,' she shares, expressing her frustration. She also highlights the fairness issue, noting, 'I told him I find it unfair that we split finances 50/50, I work full-time, and he still expects me to be the one taking charge of the house chores.' She feels like he's not willing to make things easier for her, even though they can afford it. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The woman stands her ground, asking the Reddit community, 'AITA for wanting to hire a maid Monday through Friday and standing my ground?' She explains that her fiancé argues, 'being able to afford it doesn't mean we should do it,' and that he's annoyed she's been doing less and less in the house and giving more responsibility to the maid. But for her, the extra help has been a game changer. 'Honestly it's been heaven waking up to food on my plate and not having to worry about crossing my meetings with cooking time,' she admits, while her fiancé insists she's just 'avoiding basic adult everyday stuff.' Now, she's left questioning whether she's in the wrong for wanting to make life a little easier, or if her fiancé's expectations are out of line. Read the original article on People
Gizmodo
14-07-2025
- Gizmodo
Shark AI Robot Vacuum Is Practically Free With More Than 50% Off After Prime Day
We're fairly certain that most people don't enjoy having to do chores. We could be wrong, but it'd be weird, you know? While it's hard to automate every chore, if you can get one to simply deal with itself, then we recommend doing so. Of the daily chores you can automate, one of the best ones is vacuuming. That's because robot vacuums are becoming more and more affordable, and better yet, more capable by the day as well. Right now, you can actually head on over to Amazon and get your hands on the amazing Shark AV2501AE AI Robot Vacuum with XL HEPA Self-Empty Base for just $300. That's 54% off the standard price of $650, and that's an incredible discount. This isn't going to last for long though, so keep that in mind. See at Amazon This incredible robot vacuum can handily navigate your home using LIDAR, and will learn which spots need cleaning more often. This means it'll put more effort into those spots, which makes it more efficient in the long run. For a lot of us, that's going to be the entrances to our homes, but if you've got pets, it could be wherever it is your floors decide to settle down and nap. It's more than powerful enough to actually deal with the pet hair as well, which means you'll never feel the need to run around after it to sort things out properly. Along with that, it comes with its own self-emptying base. This means it will go out into your home, vacuum everything, and then return back to charge itself and empty itself. You only need to empty the base every sixty days or so as well, and that means it's even easier to just forget vacuuming even exists. Along with that, you can easily set up different cleaning routines using your voice, or you can just get it to go out as and when you need it to. It means that you've got a lot of flexibility on the set-up and specifics of how it cleans your home, which is absolutely amazing. There are plenty of good reasons for this amazing device normally costing $650, just look at that list of features. So, the chance to save a massive 54% on that and get it for just $300 while this deal lasts is one that you shouldn't pass up on, especially if you're sick of vacuuming. See at Amazon
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
I'm a relationship expert — this is the No. 1 thing couples should do if they want a happy relationship
The couples that clean together, stay together. A relationship counselor believes that the trick to maintaining a happy romantic relationship is doing mundane, daily chores with your significant other. 'When you share even small chores, you show each other that you are equals,' Dr. Hannah Lawson, who has over 12 years of experience working with couples and in behavioral psychology, told the Daily Mail. Surprisingly, according to Lawson, small tasks like setting the table or loading the dishwasher together can be more meaningful and have more of an impact on a relationship than 'big romantic gestures.' Usually, when one person in the relationship, oftentimes the woman, is left to check things off the household to-do list by themselves, feelings of resentment build up. When trivial tasks are performed by two people, it not only empowers a couple to feel like a team working together, but it also serves as an opportunity for two people to have meaningful conversations side-by-side. 'Think of it as a small daily ritual that pays you back with trust, respect, and a stronger emotional connection,' the expert told the outlet. For happiness in a relationship, aside from doing dishes together, a study revealed that moments of silence with your significant other could be a sign of a healthy relationship. 'Consider two exchanges between romantic partners: They look into each other's eyes sharing intimacy and mutual understanding, or, a glance instead expresses judgment and displeasure as now they achieve a shared understanding that one partner has let down the other,' authors of a study published in the journal Motivation and Emotion wrote. 'In both instances, nothing is said, yet much is communicated.' To come to this interesting conclusion, a team of researchers at the University of Reading conducted four different studies to learn how silent moments can influence relationships. One group of study participants was asked to recall the last time they had a moment of silence between them and their partner and what caused it. Another group was asked the same thing, but only if it happened in a previous unhealthy relationship. These study participants were also asked how the silent moment came about and how it made them feel. Based on the responses, moments of silence that seemed malicious brought out negative feelings — while natural silence was associated with intimacy and closeness.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
The Best Chore Apps For Kids And What They Offer
Many lists discuss the best chore apps for kids, but when it comes to chores in our household, my wife and I are big proponents of the 'divide and conquer' approach. We make lists, assign tasks, and get things done, feeling that it's better for us to do them instead of trying to get the kids involved. However, research from The Center For Parenting Education suggests otherwise: 'Research indicates that those children who do have a set of chores have higher self-esteem, are more responsible, and are better able to deal with frustration and delay gratification, all of which contribute to greater success in school.' That makes sense to me, but the reality of it is that getting kids to do chores and participate in family 'work' can be pretty tricky and often ends up in some form of argument or bribery. As parents, we have hectic lives, and completing chores regularly seems like an impossibility. But that is where kids can find the greatest benefit of doing chores: Structure. According to 'Structure helps parents and their kids. Kids feel safe and secure because they know what to expect. Parents feel confident because they know how to respond, and they respond the same way each time. Routines and rules help structure the home and make life more predictable.' So, how does one create that structure and get their kids motivated to help out around the house? One word: Fun! There are a ton of apps out there that gamify, reward, and motivate your kid to be involved in the household chores (and even their school work and learn about finances!). Here are 12 apps that you can use to assign chores, follow progress, and reward the entire family! Chorsee is, in a word, Simple. It doesn't get bogged down in complicated processes; it's laser-focused on chore management, allowances, and tracking in a very easy-to-use interface. It doesn't require an external bank account for allowances and is entirely customizable to whatever schedule your household runs on. Features: Manage all chores for your children from a single view. Add as many children, allowance, and chores as you want. Chores can be one-time tasks and reassigned at any time, or they can be repeated on a daily, weekly, or monthly schedule. Children can choose one of 16 avatars or a photo to personalize the app. Chores can have photos to help children understand what needs to be done. Platforms: iOS, Android/Web Homey is a bit of the flip side, in that once you link it to your bank account, it allows parents to create and track chores and tasks for their children, as well as manage allowances and rewards. It does this not only to ensure everyone gets paid, but also to teach kids about money and financial management. It allows kids to create 'Savings Jars' so they can see how close they are to that goal of paying for a new toy or game. Features: Set recurring or one-time chores for the whole family. Distinguish chores that are responsibilities, jobs that Kids can earn money from. Direct transfer allowance to bank account (US only). Set 'Saving Jars' with financial goals. Homey syncs across all devices in the household. Platforms: iOS, Android/Web S'moresUp offers chore management, individualized profiles and schedules, as well as reminders when tasks are due or have been left unattended for an extended period. What's cool about this app, though, is that it allows the family to communicate with each other through 'Family Campfires.' If you aren't ready to let your kid take the plunge into full-on IM or texting, this is a fantastic feature. Features: A highly customizable chore management system allows parents to enter all their household chores. Provides a comprehensive chore-reward management system. Provides a collaborative family planner for scheduling appointments and events, keeping everyone informed and on task. 'Campfires' create a safe environment for learning and practicing proper social media etiquette. S'moresUp allows for a profile for everyone in the family so that if they are old enough, they can all manage their chores. Platforms: iOS, Android/Web, Joon is terrific and the first app on the list that attempts to turn chores and routine into a game. Joon is focused on helping kids with ADHD, ODD, Autism, or even just kids who have trouble with organization. As your kid progresses in the game, their tasks will become habit, and the fun game aspect will keep them focused. It's not only one of the best chore apps for kids, it's also one of the most fun. Features: Specifically designed for kids with ADHD, ODD, and Autism Assign tasks as 'Quests', then the video game does the rest. Your child chooses a virtual pet to feed, wash, and grow. To take care of their pet and play the Joon video game, they must first complete the tasks you've assigned them. Joon reminds your child to stick to their routine. No more nagging from your end. Choose from an extensive list of research-backed activities to help your child build essential life skills that teach independence. Platforms: iOS, Android, Amazon Fire Tablets, & Web BusyKid is a chore app that's baked into a banking and financial education app. With Busykid, a chore chart streamlines the process from chore assignment to payout, with a focus on saving, and for older kids, investing. You can even order BusyKid branded Prepaid Visa Debit Cards for your kid to monitor spending. Features: Children can earn an allowance by completing chores tailored to their age and schedule. Children and teens learn how to invest from a young age, unlocking limitless potential. Use BusyPay and load money directly to a BusyKid child account. Promotes a balanced financial lifestyle, and that includes being charitable. Parents receive alerts for any money transactions and card issues. Platforms: iOS, Android, Web Sweepy helps you keep your kids and home clean and organized. It uses game mechanics to engage your kids as they follow a house cleaning schedule that you create. You can include the whole family and turn it into a weekly competition! The app even generates a daily schedule, so everyone knows what they are supposed to do each day. It also offers a visual chore chart with points for completing tasks, which can be redeemed for rewards. Features: Tracks the cleanliness of each room in your household. Prioritize the tasks that users need to focus on. Automatically generates a daily cleaning schedule for each member in your home. Sweepy synchronizes between devices. Kids stay motivated by seeing their progress towards the top spot in the leaderboard. Platforms: iOS, Android, Web NeatKid is designed for kids aged 5-8 years old and enables parents to schedule chores, homework, and other household tasks as to-do lists. Parents can set the 'difficulty' of a task (ie, how many points the kid will earn by completing it), and the more tasks completed, the more rewards the kid can bank. Parents are free to decide how kids can redeem their points (Such as Toys, screen time, etc.) via special Reward Charts, and earning the points teaches kids independence and responsibility. It's the best chore app for kids in the younger age range. Features: Easy, kid-friendly interface and setup. Set tasks for your child aged 5-8, from family chores to homework, with customizable repetition options. Create to-do lists and set their difficulty by choosing the number of points awarded for each completion. A reward chart makes tracking progress fun and motivating! Kids learn independence, discipline, and responsibility. Platforms: iOS, Android, Web Nipto turns everyone in your family into a player, and the game is chores. Players accumulate points by doing household chores, and a winner is chosen every Sunday evening to receive their reward. Parents and kids can manage their accounts and also team up and share chores and points. Features: Add personalized household chores for each player. Competitive or personal goal game modes. Reminders for essential chores. Participation and task tracking. Additional points can be awarded as a 'Thank you.' Platforms: iOS, Android, Web Chap is another app that keeps it simple. It offers alerts for due chores, rotating assigned tasks, and more, all in a simple and easy-to-use interface. Users can create preset routines, and the Admin can set rules, monitor progress, and see data from all the users in clear graphs and timelines. Users can accumulate points, and the Admin can assign rotating or shared chores to help build teamwork. Its calendar view makes keeping up with things easy for both users and admins when it comes time for them to cash out their points. Features: Get started quickly with preset routines designed to suit various lifestyles. Parents have the power to set rules and monitor progress. Real-time data, such as charts and timelines, to keep up with who's doing what. Foster teamwork by assigning and rotating chores among family members. Parents can customize the app to their unique household dynamics. Platforms: iOS, Android, Web Visual aids are invaluable for younger children or those with learning challenges. The Choiceworks Calendar is great because it is based on pictures, so any kid can work it without having to worry about a whole lot of reading. The app helps kids learn what is happening day-to-day, week-to-week, and month-to-month throughout the year. It takes the abstract concept of time and time management and breaks it down visually, allowing kids of all ages to work through their calendars. It's one of the best chore apps for kids who prefer or need a visual platform. Features: Easily create a visual calendar of upcoming events or chores. Add your images using your photo library, camera, or the preloaded image library. Multiple personalized calendars for use with multiple children or in a classroom setting. Animated counter for the number of days until an upcoming event. Speak the daily schedule out loud with a child's or adult's voice. Platforms: iOS Have a gamer or RPG enthusiast in your house? With Habitica, your kid can create an avatar and then add tasks, chores, or goals you'd like them to work on. The app uses retro RPG elements to gamify your kid's tasks and goals. Habitica is also helpful for kids with ADHD and doesn't have to be limited to just chores. Creative projects, self-care, studying, and fitness tasks can all be created, allowing your kid to level up their pets and gear with everything they do. If your children respond well to gamification, this may be the top choice among our best chore apps for kids. Features: Automatically repeating tasks are scheduled for your daily, weekly, or monthly routines. A traditional to-do list for tasks that only need to be done once. Color-coded tasks and streak counters help you see how you're doing at a glance. Inclusive avatar customization: wheelchairs, hair styles, skin tones, and more. Challenges offer shared task lists you can add to your tasks. Platforms: iOS, Android, Web Tody is a smarter to-do list for managing household cleaning routines, but with a twist. It visualizes dirtiness to motivate your child to clean up, while also promoting cleanliness so they can see their progress. There are no alarms or deadlines. Today puts your family in control of the cleaning, and family members can even sync cleaning plans across devices and users, as well as claim credit for the work they've done. Features: Gain flexibility by managing cleaning tasks by indicators of actual need rather than arbitrary dates. Today visualizes dirtiness to motivate cleaning and visualizes the effect of cleaning to enhance satisfaction. No deadlines, alarms, and notifications (optional). Sync plans across devices and users, and check in to claim credit for their actions. Effortless and intuitive setup of a customized cleaning plan. Platforms: iOS, Android, Web Now that you've hopefully found the best chore app for your family's needs, check out our list of the best money apps that teach kids about finances.
