Abigail has a few chores- well, expectations. She does not receive money or stickers for it, it is just required of her to do to help out. One of them is for her to put her shoes in her plastic shoe basket in her room. Easy, straightforward. Great for a 4 year old to do. Unfortunately, she hasnt been doing it. So, tonight as I put away 5 pairs of shoes/slippers scattered about the house, I had an idea..... I picked up the basket, told Abigail to follow me as I proceeded to scatter the shoes around the house. Ok, Abigail, now pick them all up. She worked diligently, picking them up in pairs. And put them away in the basket in her room. Great. You put them all away. So I picked up the basket and did it again. A few here, a few there. A few waaaay over there. And put the basket back in her room. Now, pick them up again, please. Ok Mommy, this is fun. I thought this idea might have backfired. She finished, rather pleased with herself and her effort. I did it! So, I did it again. And again. Aaaand, again. Mooommmy. She sighed in exasperation. I finally got her where I wanted her. Abigail- is this a lot of work? She nodded. Would you like some help? She nodded. Alright. Ill help you. So I picked up half and we were done in half the time. So then we talked: Abigail, was it a lot of work for you to pick up those shoes over and over again? (yes) Do you think mommy feels like it is a lot of work to do it? (yes) Did you like it when I helped? (yes!) Was it quicker when I helped you? (yes!) Do you think when you help mommy, it makes mommy have less work or more work? (less) And does it makes the work go by quicker or slower? (faster) And it gives me more time to spend playing with you! Lets work on picking things up as a team, ok? (ok!) Either she will remember this as a really cool life lesson or she will be sharing this in a counselors office as a perfect example of the crazy upbringing she had. My mom kept dumping out my shoes, over and over again....
Posted on: Fri, 15 Aug 2014 03:56:48 +0000