This morning I came across this post over at Kerflop which sent me over to this excellent post about honoring your children and teaching them to work.
I must confess, I fall into the category of mother’s who do everything themselves because it is so much easier, even though Ben is obsessed with helping. Yes, he copies everything I do when I clean the house, even insisting that he have his own cleaning rag. Ach! I really need to build on that interest now while he wants to be like me. I have a major guilt complex right now. Ouch!
I ordered the catalog Kerflop mentioned. Perhaps that’s what we’ll get Ben for his birthday – cleaning tools. He would be so excited! He had a cleaning set but the vacuum and broom both broke (from overuse?).
I don’t remember when I started doing things around the house, but I know my sister and I did a lot once we were in grade school. I was just thinking Ben wasn’t ready yet, but after reading these posts, I’m thinking that he is. He could help fold towels, his own clothes, and maybe even other things. He could stand on a stool and dry dishes if I washed them during the day (usually Steve does them while Ben gets ready for bed). He could help clean if he had the proper tools – he could dust, sweep, and clean his little potty for real. I think he’d be thrilled to get to help.
When he’s outside, one of his favorite toys is this play mower my mom and I found at some garage sale. He’ll tell me he needs to go outside and mow (just like Daddy does). He loved helping wash the car the other day. And the point Heather made about children really helping when you get involved is true. Not only are they helping, but you’re building commradery between your children and yourself as well (like being on the same team, which I mentioned yesterday). Steve and I are both good at keeping up with household chores – we just need to involve Ben in the process so he can be directly involved rather than copying us on the sidelines.
Okay, the wheels are turning. Clearly there are going to be some big changes here…
I keep trying to involve my kids in the chores. I also keep getting frustrated and going back to doing it myself because it’s easier. They do clear their supper dishes from the table, and clean up their toys each evening before bed. Baby steps, I guess…