Just Do It

Have you ever asked your kids to do something for you?  Have you ever gotten "That Look" when you do?  You know what look I am talking about.  There is one look that conveys the message of stupidity.  It is the "Clueless" look.  Often times you get that one, when the job involves work or just something that your child doesn't want to do, so they fake stupidity.  They pretend they have no idea what you are talking about or that you are talking in some foreign language.

Another look that you can get when you ask your kids to do something conveys a message of misery.  It often includes rolled eyeballs and an expression on their face that reminds you of someone who has just had a skunk walk past them.  It is the look you get when they REALLY don't want to do what you have asked.  It might be because it involves work or some other unpleasant task like washing dishes. 

I personally and often get the "Are You Serious!?"  look from the kids.  It involves a facial expression that is a mixture of confusion, concern, and laughter.  I get it a lot.  My kids often don't get it.  For example, when I asked the boys to paint the white storage building white.  I usually get the look when I have offered to help someone, but I cannot do it myself.  I need the assistance of one of the kids.  I also get it when I volunteer them for jobs at someone else's house.  I don't see a problem with it, but they do.

Recently we were talking about an episode of helpfulness that I created.  I came home one day and Superson was there.  I asked if he was busy (most of the kids lie through their teeth when they answer that one ...)  Superson hasn't learned the method of pretending to be busy so you don't get asked to help.  Anyway, he wasn't and so I informed him that I had gotten a call from a lady at church who had an elderly and sickly cat and it died.  Okay......  Well she lives in an apartment and its December and she has no place to bury it.   Okay.....  So I told her we would bury it here.   Okay.....  So you and I are going to get the cat, because I can't do this and you need to carry it and then we will bring it here and I would really appreciate it if you would bury it.  Okay...  Wait! ...  What? ... Are you serious?

Of course I was serious.  It seems perfectly logical to me.  Although, a little later when Pook called and asked me what was going on at home and I told him we were burying the cat, he at first got concerned.  "Mom, we don't have a cat."  "I know that.  It belonged to the lady from Church......"  After I finished the story, he voiced his concern.  "What's next, are you going to start bring home roadkill to bury with strange cats?"  Well, clearly he did not understand that we sort of knew this cat and I considered it a good deed.

Anyway, this message is to kids....   If your mom asks you to do something, even if it seems a little odd, just once in a while do what she asks without asking a million questions, or giving commentary.  It will have a bigger impact than all of the "Looks" that you usually give.  Hope the rest of your weeks is full of Momsense!