Household chores … the mention of which sends a shiver down most of our spines. Especially parents’.
With the advent of children comes the increased workload around the house, and we wait impatiently for them to get tall enough to reach the kitchen sink and take over their share of the household tasks.
But they grow, make more mess, attempt to camouflage their room floors with discarded clothing and leave a trail of destruction behind them. A conundrum arises for concerned, exhausted parents. At what stage can they expect their little darlings to take over which chores? Is it really necessary to wait for them to get a college degree before we are convinced that they have sufficient macro co-ordination to make their own bed?
In some families (especially those with multiple off-spring and no domestic assistance) chore allocation occurs early on. Hell – if they’re too small to master the opposing thumb thing, try strapping a duster to their diapers to get them cleaning from year one. In others, it never happens.
Chatting to a friend the other day, she complained of getting home from a hard day’s work and having to cook for five or six people every night, and wash up after them. So far she has only managed to train the boys to get their plates on – or close to – the kitchen counter. The dishwasher being loaded is the next step, but it seems this task is one that males manage only after extensive training (and sometimes the threat of starvation).
Another friend of mine casually mentioned that her 12 year-old daughter does all of the washing up on the weekends. Great idea! We instantly introduced that in our house. Our daughter’s sole contribution to keeping the household from collapsing into complete disarray would be washing up the dishes on a Sunday.
It didn’t take us long to realise that we needed to put a time limit on this … otherwise the mess was not addressed until Sunday messily sneaked past, and she was off to school on Monday – scot-free. So 10am was the deadline – and things went well for a couple of sparkling-Sunday-morning months.
It was only when smugly passing on this nugget of parental guidance to my friend with the empty dishwasher that I realised that said daughter had managed to sleep over a friend every Saturday night since March.
We as parents have a responsibility to bring up decent human beings that will not burden those around them, but take on their share of cleaning and tidying. Here I appeal especially to mothers of sons … please make them into useful husbands! Ironing and vacuum-cleaning do not make you sterile, despite what most boys think. And I for one have no idea as to how to successfully accomplish these tasks, thus relying on a well-rounded partner to take on these fulfilling jobs (along with emptying the trash, mowing the lawn and washing the car).
Making kids do their share (or at least a portion thereof) is not mean. It is necessary for their healthy development. And being too short is not an excuse they can use forever!
May 20, 2011 at 8:20 am |
he he .. sneaky little creatures, they will avoid household chores like the plague … its gonna be tough when they have to do it themselves one day ..
in India, most kids work as soon as they can walk … guess its a cultural thing ..
May 20, 2011 at 8:23 am |
The most amazing transition is when they move out of home and suddenly display a range of abilities that they had managed to keep hidden all these years … and actually crap on you for walking into their house with dirty shoes!!
May 20, 2011 at 9:38 am |
True dat.
May 20, 2011 at 9:47 am |
Haa haa. My range of household upkeep abilities is still poor and I left home a very long time ago. I am somewhat thankful that my mother is in another country. If she saw my house she would have a fit!!
May 21, 2011 at 6:41 pm |
I remember coming home one evening to chaos in the kitchen. These were the days when I was working a lot of overtime hours too. I took one look at it and another look at my two boys and exboyfriend sitting watching the TV and told them when they decided to clean up the kitchen I will start to cook them a meal! With that I got into my car, went and bought a bottle of wine and then went off to visit a friend! Had a wonderful time chatting and when I eventually decided to go home I found a sparkling clean house and cooked dinner! The girls take chances too but generally they help quite a bit. The most amazing time is when we go away, then they really get on with it and give Chris and I a chance to relax and enjoy our holiday too.
May 21, 2011 at 7:01 pm |
I recognise a few little people in this one!! Love seeing how it empowers the kids to be independent and feel like they are achieving something and being part of a team. Our three all contribute according to their size – if they can reach the drying rack, then they dry and put away. If they can sleep in a bed, they can make it! If they can wear clothes and walk and talk, they can put them in the laundry bin, learn how to put on a washing machine and help hang the clothes up, etc. Couldn’t help chuckling at the thought of every Saturday night sleepovers – you do have clever kids Sandy!!! xxx