by Dr. Lorin Bradbury
Question: The house is a mess. Dishes are piling up. Can you give me some tips on how I can get everyone in our household to start helping me get the house clean and keeping it clean?
Answer: Some years ago, I began handing out one tip each week to the church I pastor that related to organizing your household. They are tangible and can be taught to your children. If everyone will practice these tips you will end up with a clean and orderly household.
#1: Wash your dishes before going to bed.
#2: Clean up spills immediately.
#3: Make your bed upon rising.
#4: Put toys away after playing.
#5: Go to Bed at a reasonable hour.
#6: Keep your bathroom clean (Deuteronomy 23:13-14).
#7: Never leave piles of dirt on the floor—finish the job—put it in the garbage.
#8: Always arrive at church on time.
#9: “Cleanliness is next to godliness.” Dress holy; dress clean. As much as possible, keep your person clean.
#10 Never let your children go to school or church with holes in their clothes (even if it is in style).
#11: Maintain Personal Devotions.
#12: Eat at least one meal together each day.
#13: Pray with your children before they go to bed each night.
Give these a try over the next few weeks and see what happens.
Lorin L. Bradbury, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Bethel. For appointments, he can be reached at 543-3266. If you have questions that you would like Dr. Bradbury to answer in the Delta Discovery, please send them to The Delta Discovery, P.O. Box 1028, Bethel, AK 99559, or e-mail them to [email protected].
