So Nick and I might be in the minority with the whole chore thing. We don't have set chores for our kids and never will. Why? They have a job. It's called school.
It takes a lot of effort to do the work they have to do. Not only are they gone most of the day at school but then they get homework.
Most people I know don't get homework at their job.
Now, for Gage, lets factor in the sports. He stays after every day for either a game or practice...every day. That means he's rarely home before 6:30. The kid gets up at 6:00 and is at it all day. When he gets home it's shower, dinner, homework, bed. Do you see any time for chores in there?
As for Layla, she does little things all the time for us. She likes to dust and sweep and steam clean the floors. But we don't ask her to do it. While her days are not nearly as packed as Gage's, she's a lot younger and still has enough on her plate. She's in school until almost 4:00 and then we're going somewhere...Gage's games, picking him up from practice, piano lessons. She never gets to come straight home and relax. Chores on top of all that is a little too much stress for a nine year old.
Oh and then there's that other small detail. The chores are my job. Yep...call me a 1950's housewife (you'd be wrong but you can call me one). I am here all day every day. I'm lucky to be able to be here so I don't mind a little scrubbing of the bathroom or loading and unloading the dishwasher. Folding laundry...love it. It gives me an excuse to sit on my big, comfy bed and watch soaps in the afternoon. Mowing the lawn, sweeping, vacuuming countless times a day (thanks Georgie), scrubbing stainless steel appliances (not stainless at all thank you very much), volunteering in the classroom, mopping up muddy Georgie footprints from the kitchen floor, cleaning poop from the yard...all of it.
Best. Job. Ever.
I've got the easy part. It's the kids that have it tough.
1 comment:
you are a good parent, my sweet daughter!
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