Happy Helpers

Last night I offered to John that he could see if he was a big-enough boy now to spray down the kitchen table using Real Chemicals (Simple Green, watered down about 1:50). He was very enthusiastic, to say the least, and he stuck to the rule about Not Spraying Anybody.

Neither of the children has official chores yet, although perhaps that isn't entirely true: We are working with John that it is his responsibility to get his dirty clothing into the hamper and pick up his toys (but we are far from 100% success!). Right now I'm trying to foster their natural Happy Helper phases. Mary's motivation is to imitate me, John's motivation seems to be that he is a Big Boy Who Can Do Things. Mary can help me unload the dishwasher, wipe down her booster seat, retrieve a towel or clean diaper, throw her wet diaper in the trash can, wipe up a mess, put her dirty clothing in the hamper, and put toys in a basket. John is increasingly a help in the kitchen, where he can now measure, pour, mix, and cut with a paring knife. He can set out napkins and silverware, fill water glasses, and clear his own plate. He helps me switch the laundry by receiving hand fulls of wet clothing and throwing them into the dryer, as well as removing the lint from the screen. Of course, he can run all over the house to retrieve things for me ("Please go upstairs into Mama and Daddy's room, into the desk, in the drawer and get that one thingamajig"). Both children have eager desires to sweep but make a bigger mess than before when they try. John is learning how to mop.

It is definitely trying to my patience to stand back and let the kids try to learn these chores and I often fail in perfect patience, but it sure is a neat phase to see them blossoming so much in this arena.