Ok, so the actual quote was,
“Do we have to do chores when we’re dead?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!”
Head thrown back
lips making a perfect rainbow
tears dripping off of her chin
open palms flung downward
This.
This is the drama.
I can’t deny. They all come by it honestly. My family will attest. Growing up, the world was my stage. Now I have three, probably all four who have followed in my footsteps. Payback is a real…well, you know. (Where are my emojis when I need one???)
This all started when I gave my bigger girls less than a handful of “chores” that needed to be completed while I was putting ACE down for bed. Impossible things like finish eating dinner, get dressed for bed, put out clothes for tomorrow, and, if (HA, if!) there were any clothes on the floor put them away (NOT in the dirty clothes, unless, of course, they were actually dirty). After that, they could play quietly in their room.
The first indication that they were not anywhere on task was the repeated thumping I heard coming from downstairs (considering their bedroom is upstairs, it was a dead give away). It was as I feared. As I took the last few steps and pulled the curtain aside, giggles and the thud-thud of multiple feet charged into the parlor. I saw unfinished dinners on the table, and my worst fears were confirmed – no tasks were completed. *sigh* They are 6 and 7.5, four tasks are developmentally appropriate, and yet…”Oh, Mommy! I forgot!”
Just in case you’re wondering, I hate those words.
So, there were consequences. They had a choice as to their consequence.
Then the rivers of tears began from the six year old.
“I hate chores!”
“Chores aren’t any fun!”
“I wish I never had to do chores!”
“Do we have to do chores when we’re dead?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!”
We had a little discussion:
What would happen if no one did chores?
There would be trash everywhere and no food and no clean clothes, and we would have rats and mice and roaches and all sorts of nastiness! EWWWWW!!!!
Does Mommy like washing dishes, doing laundry, vacuuming the floor, cleaning toilets, etc, etc, etc?
Not so much…and yet, I do them.
Why?
Because I love my family.
Could she have a heart change?
Could she do chores not because they were fun but because she loves our family?
I loved her response: “I wish God could make me love chores!”
It was such a joy to be able to tell her that she didn’t have to wish, all she had to do was ask.
And she did.
Will they still forget? Of course.
Will there still be consequences? In some form – that’s life.
Will there be grace? It’s my goal.
I highly doubt, though, that there will be “chores” when we’re dead. 🙂
I love this! It’s so true.
And, even when they don’t feel like doing it out of love for family (because- ha- not always), they can do it for God.
The Harvard study is great, too. I’m totally going to use that. 😉
I’m always telling my kids that many hands make light work. If we can just all work together!!–preferably without too much drama. Hahaaa
Sometimes, I think I learn more than my kiddos do when we have those conversations! Thanks for your thoughts. I totally agree with you! 🙂
Sounds like you are teaching them the things that truly matter. WTG momma!
Thank you so much for that affirmation! 🙂
Oh, yes. We have these conversations with our dramatic 5 year old regularly. I think next time she starts complaining I’ll tell her to ask God to make her love chores too! 🙂
We’re not alone!!!! 🙂
It’s a great opportunity for them to really see God at work in their lives! Now to model that! 🙂
I remember when my kids were little and it seemed like I was always cleaning up. My grandma told me “one day it will be the last time you wipe little handprints away.” I listened but didn’t understand at the time because I was lost in the chaos of trying to teach them, feed them & clean them. My kids are 20 & 17 now! The explaining and training will pay off and feel like a miracle has occurred! 😉
Good to know! I am trying to maintain that attitude! My mama said that she enjoyed SOMETHING about each stage of life. I’m trying! 🙂
Your babies are so sweet! It sounds like you are a patient mom – you set a great example!
Awww, thank you! Definitely a perk of being an older mom! I know if I had had my kiddos when I was young (and wanted to start having kids!), I would have been waaaay too uptight! Ha!