Nothing Says Independence Like a Personalized Trash Can

As I have shared in other posts, we are working with Noah to learn different household chores. He needs to be responsible for helping around the house, just like his sisters.

One of his chores is emptying the dishwasher. Is he successful? Yes. Do dirty dishes occasionally get put away with the clean ones? Also yes. It is a work in progress.

Noah is also responsible for taking the trash and recycling from the house to the correct bins outside. Most of the time, this is not a problem. The challenge begins when he needs to throw away his soiled disposable underwear and wipes.

Shane has shown him the correct trash can. I have shown him the correct trash can. Noah knows exactly where everything belongs. Yet, at least once a week, a bag of soiled disposable underwear and wipes somehow finds its way into the recycling bin.

Not only does this smell absolutely disgusting, but it also creates a truly horrifying surprise for the recycling crew. Nobody signed up for that.

I suggested labeling the correct trash can with Noah’s name. Shane had an even better idea. He suggested that Noah help make and attach the label so he would take ownership of his trash can.

Ziva and I created a large label using bright orange paper. We laminated it, and Noah taped it directly to the trash can.

Now, instead of saying, “Go put the trash in the correct bin,” I say, “Noah, go put the trash in YOUR trash can.”

So far, so good.

Apparently, all Noah needed was a personalized outdoor trash can. Nothing says independence quite like having your name displayed on a garbage bin.

If you found this helpful, please share this post with other families who may understand the struggle. Try this trick with your own children and let us know if it works. Follow us on Facebook and join us as we continue navigating chores, independence, and personalized trash cans with Noah.