I call plates and bowls!!!!!!!!!!!
Love it when she says this.
I announce for them to clean two item types
out of the dishwasher.
Everyone is in a hurry to get first pick.
Whitney is often first.
Wish I would've thought of this long ago.
My dishwasher gets cleaned out FAST these days!
After dinner
sometimes I have to say.
"Um, this isn't Hotel Wiberg,
come back in here and help.
I used to let them leave me alone with a mess.
I didn't make it mandatory.
They used to whine
it was easier to let them go.
But now its tradition.
I make dinner.
You help set the table.
You clear the table.
You put away leftovers.
You sweep the floor.
or um you don't eat.
Besides its sooo rude.
We all live here together,
and to my delight
My kids get this.
Finally.
When I was a kid.
I didn't get it.
Maybe I didn't feel ownership.
I was a slave,
I thought.
Vowed my kids would understand
why and how to contribute.
Tonight,
Abby
went to her dad,
said," May I take your plate?"
Sweetest words from her lips all day.
A new season of motherhood has arrived.
My kids are getting it.
Sometimes I see-
selflessness,
obedience,
charity,
independence.
I'm relieved.
I have hope.
That maybe.
Just maybe.
Despite all my mistakes
and their mistakes too.
They'll grow up
contribute,
work hard,
and be happy adults.
And they'll teach their kids,
the things I taught them.
Pics taken a few years back.
At our first house.
When getting there help was more work for me.
♥ 
Sometimes the work seems endless, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteMy favorite line?
"Or else, um, you don't eat."
That's hilarious, I love it!
I'm glad you're finally getting some help and some pay out!! xoxo
My kids do the dishes here too, and it's the best. thing. ever.
ReplyDeleteP.S.
The look on Devin's face in the picture of him vacuuming is SO awesome! He looked completely "thrilled" to be helping his mom. So dang cute!
I love it! Any tips on how to train ... me? I struggle with dishes because I hate doing them. It was much easier when I loved my kitchen. Thanks for the needed motivation to get my kids back on the dishes train!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy too! I need there help and the fact that they understand and are willing is a huge boost of- I think I'm doing something right.
ReplyDeleteBrittany,
The biggest thing is that you should always try and keep your sink empty.
I've trained our family to put dirty dishes in the dishwasher. So we don't do dishes at our house, the sink is hardly ever full of dishes. I can't stand a sink full of grimy dishes. The biggest trick is keeping the dishwasher totally ready to be filled. That's where, calling the kids in to empty together comes in. They do it so fast if everyone grabs bowls, or plates, glasses. Good luck.