Chores

When, in the course of human events, you find yourself in a family of six, it becomes necessary to perform a chore or two.  We have yet to come up with a workable schedule or system for getting things done on a regular basis here at the Wright Place.  

Most of the time chores are assigned to the child who is the closest to me when I see that a chore needs doing.  Sometimes the one getting assigned the job is the child who has most recently proven to have need of a bit of "character training".  Other days, there might be a little one wandering about with no purpose and a look of mischief in her his or her eyes.  It is that child who quickly earns the Mommy's Little Helper title.

It is a wonderful thing when it is discovered that a detested chore of mine is in fact the very same task which thrills a child who is asked to accomplish it.  Conversely, it is a sad day when the thrill of accomplishment wears off and the "cool new job" becomes the "dreaded chore" in every sense of the word. 

In the old days, the older children used to beg to vacuum the kitchen floor.  These days, everyone tries to look busy when that dreaded chore is to be assigned.  Well, just about everybody. In a home with four children, there's usually somebody who wants to take over your detested chore...

Sweeping has become a drag with the "older set" in this house.  Unless, the Swiffer is the tool of choice.  Who doesn't love the Swiffer--no plugging in, no cord, excellent handling, easy to use. 

Swiffering is fun.  Kinda reminds me of that Curling event in the Winter Olympics!  I've got a prospect for the 1022 Games...

What a remarkable day it was when we discovered that the kids could empty the dishwasher and do a great job with it to boot!  Talk about an Ode to Joy!  One child unloads the top rack, another puts the dishes away in the bottom rack, one puts the silverware away, and all three try to keep Molly from climbing into the sacred appliance!

As the sole male child of our tribe, Cole is not spared kitchen duties.  Unfortunately for him, neither is he spared trash duty.

Chores are a necessary evil that increase one's appreciation of leisure!

Chores, available all year round...

...and available in all sizes...

Some would say that many hands make light work. I would say that mini hands make lots of work!!  Some would say that training children to work is a worthy endeavor.  I say that training children to contribute to the household helps get them ready to contribute to society.  Teaching them to cook and do chores, it would seem, will prepare them on a smaller scale to take better care of their responsibilities as adults.  When, I wonder, is it too soon to teach them how to pay the bills?

Work while you work, play while you play.

That is the way to be cheerful all day.

All that you do, do with your might.

Things done by halves are never done right.

One thing each time and that done well

is a very good rule as many can tell.

Moments are useless trifled away; so

work while you work and play while you play.

~M.A. Stodart~