hard to believe that 2011 will make me a mom to a 7, 10 and 13 year old. crazy how fast that happened. and as i adapt to the realities of my aging/maturing kiddo's i realize that the time has come for me to make a shift in my parenting responsiblities.
since they were babies, my number one responsibility has always been to be there as much as possible for them. to never miss a minute of them learning, seeing, doing. to give them every opportunity we could and to share in it! to spoil them and DO for them.
i still want all of these things for us/them, but i think it is important for me to focus on the parental responsibility that i have to raise future adults. to prepare them for life outside of our home. to enable them to DO for themselves.
not so much for the girls, but for sure... for ben. he is admittedly a little green in the responsibility department. he doesn't really have any assigned chores around the house and he is reluctant to help out most of the time. but i don't blame him... he was never made to or expected to do things. he does help out with watching his sisters alot, but to tell you the truth, i think it is usually his sisters taking care of him when we are not home. he also shovels the church each winter for a small stipend, but believe me... this often takes some encouraging for him to get out and DO it.
i have been asking more of him lately though... little things like... feed the dog, sort the recycling, put your dishes in the sink, pick up your clothes... baby steps to bigger responsibilities. i just have to keep his daddy from jumping in and picking up where i left off... so matt if you are reading this... it really is good for him to learn how to make a sandwich for himself!! LOL!
i am also trying to instill in all of the kids that being a part of a family requires team work. and i think that chores are a good tool in accomplishing this. i don't like the idea of chore charts or rewards. we've tried those routes in the past and they have just never "stuck" with our family. to forced, too rigid... i don't know... just not us. but i will be expecting more of the kids from now on. they need to learn to do their part... without being asked or reminded. if YOU make a mess, YOU pick it up. sounds simple...
i don't think that i could expect any more out of anna pearl. she is a Godsend. she loves housework, is always quick to help out and often seeks out ways to pitch in and help out. this has thankfully rubbed off onto adison who also likes to help, but only when she feels like it. and expecially if it means that she gets to sweep the floor or wash the windows.
so here is to new priorities and new responsiblities. and to realistic expectaions, flexibility and teamwork.
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