A child's laundry line is a useful thing!

After reading an article in NPR about how children in Guatamala are so helpful because they are allowed and encourcuraged--but not forced--to help, and having my son really want to help hang up laundry, I decided to make him his own clothes line. I already had some tiny little pulleys and parachord, so I strung it up below my clothes line. NOw he can hang up laundry if he wants (he's wanted to twice) and take it down (he likes doing that a whole lot more).

And, the times he doesn't want to help, I'm really glad to have that line there! It's fantastic for hanging up all those tiny little rags we use as washable wipes, as well as socks and other little things. I used to hate hanging up all those things because there would be so many of them and my arms got tired from raising them up and pinning little rag after little rag. But now that i have the lower clothesline, my arms don't hurt and I can hang them up even faster. AND, now I have more space to hang up more clothes. SCORE!

(I've been meaning to post about this for days and days, but haven't gotten around to taking pictures, so I'm posting it now, and hoping that tomorrow I will get those pictures taken!!!)

I managed to get a picture of the clothes line. It's totally staged, as it was too hot, so I had my kids sitting in the shade while I hung the laundry. Then my son wanted in the picture, so I had him pretend to hang some up. As you can see, it's just the right height for the little things. I wouldn't hang and adult-sized shirt from it, as it would touch the ground. But, socks, baby clothes, kid's shirts, underware, and little washclothes are perfect for this clothesline!

Oh! And I rediscovered a trick for staying cool when hanging up laundry on a hot day! I place one of the damp shirts or cloth diapers on my head so it drapes over my neck. It really helps me stay cool! (Of course, don't do this if you're sweating or dirty from working and don't want to get your clothes dirty before you've even hung them up to dry!)

Your staying cool method is great - especially if you quietly use someone else's shirt...😄

I think the second line would also help to keep items from flapping too much if you have a helpful dog that likes to help remove clothes from the line. Won't draw his attention so much!

That's true! The lower line really doesn't flap as much in the wind...but the dog might be able to reach the things more easily! We don't have a dog, so have no way to verify that the lower line is more dog proof. If you try it, share the results!

Oh I LOVE this idea!!! I am definitely going to put one up for my daughter! She already helps me with laundry so I know she'll enjoy having her own little clothes line.