Organizing: Home Team or Just Me?

If I had a nickel for the times I've been asked 'how did you get them to do...?' I'd have a little heap by now.  The other nickle collector on this topic is 'my partner and/or kids would never...'. This whole conversation usually gets exciting when we really dive into the concept of shifting the all things house off of me and onto a home team we process.  I'm talking to you mom's out there that feel like everyone living under the same roof with you comes to you and may possibly assume you'll do and handle everything.  From laundry to meals the overwhelm can be real when home life feels like 'it's all on me'.  I go into the details of 'What's for Dinner?' in the first Small Space Successes book because that really was my personal turning/snapping point.  When it am to it,  I was pissed off and resentful that I felt like I had to handle everything just because I'm the mom and grown female of the house.  I too often see posts on social media where it's go ask your mom...for all things but why is that?  

Is it because that's just the assumption that it's our job?  Do we include ourselves in past ideals of the specific genders role?  Do we consider it a burden to ask others 'for help?'. Are we incapable of doing it all or lacking in some way because we can't or don't want to?  The questions layered inside the 'it's all on me' can feel just as overwhelming as it all being on you.  

Shifting toward a home team we mindset has to do with our own self talk as well as communication with all able bodies sharing the home.  Can the toddler be expected to do as much as your partner,  absolutely not BUT there are age and ability appropriate tasks that can be distributed amongst the whole home team.  People thought I was crazy when I started teaching my eight year old to do his entire laundry cycle...now,  I hear from moms of teenagers or older kids that are frustrated because 'they are old enough and should be doing this!' 

Finding the balance of what to do ourselves and what to shift toward a home team we process can be tricky.  I find it to be helpful when I remind myself that if said task is something that would need done with or without my presence, it's a task that can be shifted.  

Need ideas on home team tasks to start scheduling?  Find some here.