I once said that by the time my kids were big enough to actually be helpful, they would not want to help anymore. Well, I was wrong! My son has been quite the task master when it comes to the laundry lately. He has helped with laundry since he could walk, but now he is about to take over. Skylar now does what he used to do…push the clothes from the dryer door into the dryer, and help carry the clean laundry to the couch to be folded. Jacob has now learned to hoist himself up and start the washer, then I measure the detergent and he puts it in. I do still help him select the clothes to wash together, and he puts them in the washer. When they are finished washing, he again hoists himself up on the edge of the washing machine so that he can reach the clothes and pull them out of the washer. Now, please understand that I do not make him do this. In fact, I have tried to get him to let me get the clothes out, as his position balanced across the edge of the washer looks very uncomfortable. But he insists on doing it himself. He puts the clothes down onto the dryer door for Skylar to push in. He then adds the fabric softener sheet and lets Skylar close the door. I set the timer, and he pushes the start button. He can even clean the lint filter. He is constantly asking me if we can do more laundry…and trust me, there is always laundry to do around here. He listens for the dryer buzzer and gets the clothes out when they are dry. He can also fold washcloths and hand towels and put them away. Granted, this whole process takes him longer to do than it would take for me to do myself, but it still saves me time. I just have to sort out a load, measure detergent, and let him go at it!
I am a believer in kids doing “chores” and helping around the house. I think that doing housework and yardwork teaches kids to contribute to the family. It also teaches them how to do things. How many kids grow up and head off to college without knowing how to do their own laundry, cook for themselves, clean their homes, etc. If all of these things are done for them all the time, they are at a great disadvantage when they are grown and ready to be on their own. If we don’t teach our kids life skills and how to be self-sufficient, they will have a very difficult time when they are by themselves in that first apartment! Even small children should learn to do basic tasks. Skylar, at age 21 months, carries dishes from the living room to the kitchen. My kids help with dusting, rinsing dishes, unloading the dishwasher, picking up toys and books, setting the table for supper, and carrying groceries in from the car. And when Skylar got carried away with a marker and wrote on the chair, pantry, refrigerator, and wall, she was given a wet Magic Eraser and she cleaned it all herself. Yes, my kids do work…and they love it! If I set the table without calling Jacob to do it, he gets upset! They like to be helpers, and that is a trait that I certainly want to encourage. They will be better people if they continue wanting to spend their time helping other people, and that starts by helping at home.
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