Chores

I seem to remember as a kid, always having chores to do.  You didn't dare argue about it, you just did them.  And, you had better do them right!  My dad was a bigger perfectionist than me, so you got used to having your work corrected.  Maybe that's where I get it from! :)    There was one time, and I don't know why, I decided to refinish all the kitchen cabinets.  I know, not the usual thing that a teenager thinks of doing.  But anyway, they had gotten to the point where the varnish was sticky and they always looked dirty. I took all the doors off and started stripping them.  Of course I had no idea what I was doing and when my father came home from work he started correcting everything.  So I said "Fine, you do it."  He really had no choice, I had already gone too far.

I kind of know how he felt that day. I do believe that chores are good for kids to do.  Not an excessive amount, but reasonable things like dishes, sweeping, dusting, cleaning up toys, making your bed.  My young adult children are now forced to wash their own clothes! I believe it gives them a sense of accomplishment as youngsters and helps them develop a sense of responsibility.  You have to be careful at first not to pick at the job, but praise them and build their self esteem.  Corrections start to be made as they get older and hopefully by the time they are young adults, they do a good job.

I said "hopefully". 

I have found that some of the chores and jobs I give the boys to do are better done with either "Doc" or me working side by side with them.  So yesterday, my boys and I spent about six hours doing yard cleanup and landscaping - together.  "Super Son" had gotten into trouble the day before.  In an attempt to be, well "Super Son" he decided to weed-whack the trim around the properties.  I had not mowed around the Buckeye tree because I wanted to pot the seedlings that were growing there and to my horror he admitted to chopping down half of them before finding out that they were being saved.  Having him pot the seedlings before anyone else decided to be "helpful" was not the best plan either.  My three year old granddaughters may have done a better job.

Anyway, we worked our way around the yard, trimming, weeding, etc.  I was sure that there was going to be a rebellion of sorts, so I never turned my back on them. They complained bitterly and "The Surprise" threw a few tools and carried the worst attitude.  But together we got the yard "spruced up".  I believe it was a good lesson for them and good for their souls.  They think I am a fanatical slave driver who ought to be put away somewhere.  I felt the same as a kid.  Years from now, they will find themselves in the same position and will finally understand the purpose in the chores they have done.....I hope, otherwise I will end up in the not so nice nursing home.....