Everyday our kids have small chores around the house they need to accomplish for that day. Typically these chores need to be done before school, before an outing, or before they can watch a TV show. The chores are very basic and range from unloading the diswasher, straighting the garage shoe rack, feeding the bunny, cleaning up their room, wiping down the bathroom and practicing the piano (I know that shouldn't be a chore, but some times it feels like it is). Yesterday (Saturday) Landon complained and complained that he always has so much work to do. Now he usually has only 2 of the chores mentioned above, one being practicing the piano. So I was not feeling to sympathic to his pleading. As he was complaining I asked him what would life be like if no one worked. We started with the idea of there would be no garbage men, and so thus we would have garbage everywhere, then there would be no TV, no books, no food, and we went on and on. He thought it was pretty funny to think about, but he also didn't really like the idea of no work in the world, so he started into the life's not fair and he has the most work in the family!!!! WHAT! I thought in my head this boy has no idea. So I offered to do his chores for the day and he do mine. I had even written a list out for myself so he was able to see all that I had planned to get done that morning. He was excited, and said "I can't wait to cook" (Landon loves to cook, but he didn't realize that on Saturdays this Mom doesn't cook), so the switch began. I told him along with the list of chores he would also be responsible for caring for Jacob, so to plan for some interuptions.
Here are some pictures of Landon being the Mom for a few hours. I have to hand it to him, he seemed to enjoy it most of the time and he was at it for 3 hours. He cleaned all the wood floors, helped Lydia clean up her room, changed the sheets on two beds, vacuumed the whole house and put away landuary, and changed and feed Jacob.
So I sat down played the piano for 20 minutes and unloaded the dishwasher. I could get use to only having to do that everyday, but after all was done Landon said he was fine with his chores, but he suggested that Mason try the switch next Saturday. So maybe I will get to do this again:)
8 comments:
That's great! The other day I asked Andrew if he would be the mom for awhile and I would be the kid. Unfortunately he wasn't to keen on the idea, so I am stuck being the mom. It's good to see someone has it figured out!
Is Landon for hire? I'd like a helper like that for my house.
How nice for you!
So funny! I know C.J. would like it...at first! That's a great idea...maybe I'll have to try it sometime.
That's hilarious. I need to try this at my house.
Way to go! What a smart MOM and what a great experience for Landon!
Hi Steph
I really love your blog. I am not good at looking often enough, so I am trying to do better. Life is rather crazy right now but I am learning and growing alot. Thanks for all of the effort you put into it. You have a talent at telling the story and getting just the right pictures to go along. It is so great. It really makes my day to see the pictures and read about what is going on.
I really had to laugh about your experience with Landon. I remember a similar experience with Zeke I just wanted to share. I don't know if he remembers it or not. Zeke was a really picky eater as a child and one day he was complaining about what I was going to fix so I said to him. Well, how about you go ahead and fix dinner tonight. He thought that was great and went about fixing a peanut butter and jam sandwich for everyone and he made 2 pitchers of cool-aid to go with it. We also had ice cream for desert. He even willingly helped me clean it all up afterwards....Just a cute memory and reading about Landon triggered the memory. You are a fantastic Mom. Thanks for all you do.
Joan
I love how he volunteers his brother for the next week. That just cracked me up. It's something my boys would do.
That is great what you did. I think he will appreciate what YOU do more. I did something like that with Brek. It works really well!
What a great idea! I think I am going to try that next time they complain. I am way too easy on my kids. They do two chores each on Sat. only.
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