My favorite chore to do growing up was the dishes.
Something about my hands in soapy warm water and the rhythmic motion of
cleaning, rinsing and drying them that was very calming. It was also a time for
my imagination was free to wander. I remember pretending to be a Cinderella
like character more than once. However, my favorite times was when I was
washing the dishes with someone. It was my Grandma who first taught me how to
wash dishes when I was no more than four. I also remember doing them with my
Dad and my older brothers. It is a time to talk, a time to laugh and a time to
do something together. Cleaning and doing tasks can really bring members of a
family together.
And that is one of the reasons I want my children to do
chores. Not just so that they learn how to cook and clean for the time when
they leave the home but also so they bond over completing a task.
This idea is by no means original. In fact it is an
ancient as Adam and Eve. For many years members of a family worked side by side
in order to raise the crops and livestock they needed to survive. A mother
working with her husband. Children
working with their parents and with each other. All fulfilling their
contribution to the family.
Then the industrial age hit. Men were sent out of the
homes in order to earn the money his family needed to buy supplies. Separating
him from his wife and children for twelve or more hours a day. His wife was not
there to help him with his work nor him at home to help with home and children.
As the industrial age grew, the family became more separated as woman and
children were employed as well. Each working long hours. Things have continued
to shift back and forth over the years. Child labor laws finally put a stop to
children working in the factories but now children are in school for a good
portion of the day. Then there is the numerous activities that children become
involved in. More and more mothers, whether for money or other means of fulfillment,
are working outside the home.
I am not saying that a woman’s place is in the home or
that children’s schooling is not important or they should not participate in extracurricular
activities. What I am saying is that we need to ensure we create opportunities,
wherever possible to work together and play together.
Here are some ideas that I came up with during our
discussion in class that I feel could be very useful.
1) Is the job best for the family
Yes I know this is not always something that can be choose.
Money is what the world revolves and functions on these days and to be part of
many societies money is needed. Some cannot choose their job, or their hours.
But for those you can, ask yourself what the job is for? Who is it for?
2) Take some time in every week to discuss how chores and
other tasks should be distributed and how they get done.
Children need an opportunity to make decisions, starting
from small things and then larger ones as they get older. They also need to
feel some measure of control in their lives. Having a family council and asking
for their input and considering their ideas and having them come up with
possible solutions fulfill those needs. It is also another time period to do
things together.
3) Allow children to help in the kitchen
I have yet to meet few young children who were not interested
in cooking. They want to help pour things, to stir things. Letting a child help
you cook provides an excellent time for them to practice fine motor skills and
you a chance to talk and interact.
4) Be patient
When learning how to do a chore children will not always
do it right or quickly. Continue to provide them aide until 6 or 7 so they can
see how it is done but don’t do it for them or it makes them loose interest and
make them feel inadequate.
5) Make time
We only have our children for a few short years before
they leave the house and even shorter time than that when we have the most
influence on them. We need to treasure those moments while they are here. To
take joy in doing tasks rather than just getting through them.
That is all for today. Hope you found some useful
information
Sapphire
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