I’m very happy that my kids enjoy doing chores.
Like, if I start cleaning the house they fight over who gets to clean the floors for me. All those hours of making them watch Danny Tanner on Full House are clearly paying off. Well, mostly. Getting my daughter Ryleigh to make her bed every morning requires some hostage situation-like negotiation tactics. She does a great job when all is said and done, it’s just the getting there part.
It feels good, knowing that the kids take some pride in cleaning up. There aren’t many feelings quite as nice as just sitting down in your clean living room. It’s relaxing. And it feels good to know that you did it.
Grayson loves using the Swiffer Wet Jet thing. No, this isn’t a paid advertisement for their product. I can’t think of anything to call it other than it’s name. It’s not really a mop, so I can’t call it a mop. Anyway, his favorite part is making the cleaning solution spray out. If I don’t stop him, he’ll empty the entire friggin bottle onto one spot of the floor. He loves to mop with it (or wet jet with it…?) but the thing is just as tall as him, so he struggles a bit to maneuver it around. If I try to step in and help him though, it’s like I’m taking away his first-born child. He insists on doing it himself.
Awesome, yes, but it means I need to finish the job later when he’s not looking.
They also fight over washing the windows. I mean, I’ve got lots of windows in my place, so there’s plenty of window washing to go around. Deep down I think it’s a metaphor for them fighting for my love. Makes sense to me. Then again, neither of them have offered to clean the toilet yet. That job is still reserved for me. To be fair, Grayson still isn’t potty trained, so it’s not like he contributed to the toilet needing cleaning.
(Note to self – get the boy potty trained ASAP so he can clean the poo-bowl instead of me doing it)
They’re also starting to get interested in cooking. Nothing crazy yet – I’m not expecting them to rush into the kitchen and prepare me a Beef Bourguignon with a red wine reduced demi-glaze. They’ve gotten pretty good at making pizza, sandwiches, and Kraft Dinner. (Note: If you’re reading this outside of Canada, Kraft Dinner is Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. The blue box stuff.) They’ve also been making their own muffins, instead of buying muffins from the bakery. And Ryleigh says her homemade ones taste better anyway.
When I became a single parent I realized that I’d have to learn some new recipes. I didn’t do much of the cooking when I was married, but I had a few signature dishes up my sleeve for when it was my turn in the kitchen. So I’ve been trying to learn a new recipe each week, and when they can pitch in and help, it’s even more enjoyable for everyone. Ryleigh helped me make meat loaf a couple of times, and she’s also aided in a delicious chicken alfredo.
I’ve noticed that when the kids help cook, they’re actually more inclined to eat the food without a fuss. Sometimes kids can be picky eaters (we all were at one point in our childhood) and they don’t want to eat what’s in front of them. “How can you not want to eat this? YOU made it! It’s gonna be the best supper ever!” You’d be surprized how well that kind of positive suggestion works.
Now, if only I could train Ryleigh to get up early and make her lunch for school every morning so I don’t have to do it anymore. And then I could sleep in. Put those kids to work, indeed.
-ryan
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