Yesterday I counted. Two kids means FOUR hands. FOUR additional hands that can help out around here. They’re not trained yet, as evidenced by the mounting piles of laundry and the smears of strawberry toothpaste on the bathroom mirror. Oh, but they will be trained.
I just read The White Trash Mom Handbook by Michelle Lamar. In it, Lamar explains to us her theory of childrearing, the White Trash Mom way. You don’t have to be white, or trash even. It’s more a state of mind.
For example, instead of freaking out about the bake sale tomorrow (which by the time my kids get to school, will not be an issue since they are going extinct), buy a cake from the bakery and pretend you made it.
Or, get a second purse and set of personal items to leave at your desk with the light on to pretend that you are still there working even though you left early to pick up a sick kid in the nurse’s office.
Mostly, the WTM Handbook is a guide for parents who have kids in school, where requests for money and time will hit you from every side. There’s a lot in the book that made me shiver, and I’m glad I got the warning.
But perhaps the most valuable take-away message I got was that children can be bred for household duties. Lamar quotes a friend yelling at her kids: “Why do you think I had you? Get to work!”
It doesn’t matter now that Kyle will barely listen to me and Brady cannot be counted on to wear pants. If I start early, I can indoctrinate them into my evil plan: pick up after yourself and wipe the sink and mirror when you’re finished in the bathroom are easy enough subliminal messages to work into a soft lullaby. Maybe when they master those tasks, I can move on to clean out the garage and wash my car. That will be right after their mix me a cosmopolitan lesson.
I see no problem in this way of thinking! Can’t wait to be able to put it into practice! 🙂
LOVE the picture. I told another one of our SV Mom blog sistas, my experience might not be your experience with school, so don’t be too afraid. It’s just like the scouts. We have to be prepared. I think, judging from the fact you are fine with your kids playing in the mud, you are gonna be just fine! Way ahead of the game.
I don’t care so much about the bathroom sink and mirror. I’d just like to be able to sit down on the toilet without getting my heiny wet.
Wow. I also recommend Confessions of a Slacker Mom. This is my bible.
We do have simple rules in our house:
You do not get up from the table without silverware in the sink and any disposable item in the garbage. He is getting strong enough to even manage bowls and plates.
Clothes MUST go in the hamper. Shoes in the shoe basket.
Toys must be picked up to get a story.
Jax helps sort socks with the clean clothes, and put his socks, underware and pajamas away.
He likes to help unload the dishwasher, but it takes twice as long, but in the end should be worth it.
YOU CAN START NOW!
p.s. He also can fetch beer from the fridge…..
Judging from the looks of that picture, you have a lot of work ahead of you!!!
Ack! That picture! At least Kyle is being a little careful. Brady is going HUGE! 🙂
Ha ha ha! I love that you followed up this post with THAT picture!
As an aside, I totally believe in chores for kids. Builds character or something like that….
Time for a hose-down!
Love the purse idea… so smart! You totally crack me up –b
I have met some men who were raised by women who INSISTED THEY DO CHORES. I was envious.
You can do it! All of my four help around the house, even the 2.5 year old. Everyone clears their place at the table. They are all responsible for clothes being put in the hamper every night. And the older 3 keep their rooms tidy and put away their own laundry.
The bake sale is alive and well, my friend. Dust off those mixing bowls and stock up on canned frosting!
Saw your note about my CA trip. I will totally email you! Yey!
How are you faring with the wildfires I am reading about out there? Scary stuff!