Getting kids to help out
Someone once said, ‘A spoiled son makes a terrible husband.’
And I agree. Totally.
Many parents unconsciously ‘train’ their children to become ‘spoiled ones’ by doing everything for the kids, giving in to all their requests and wants and failing to rebuke their misbehaviours.
One way of introducing a sense of responsibility to kids, I think, is by getting them involved in our day to day chores and tasks.
Anya and I do quite a few stuff together. Housework, I mean.
She helps me carry the laundry. She tidies up her own bed every morning. She puts clean socks into our wardrobe. (And btw, if I have a son, I’d still involve him in the things that I do).
Actually, when she ‘helps’, it often (though not always) means ‘double work’ for me, because she probably makes ‘more mess’ compared to if I do it all by myself. But I don’t mind. It’s something that we do together and we both enjoy it. We talk while we do stuff. I describe to her what I’m exactly doing and she gets to communicate and learn new words too.
And today, she gets to mix my ‘chicken marinade’. Hehe. And she loves it!
Yes, I can see how true it is when they say kids LOVE to be involved. To contribute and to be appreciated.
And it’s amazing how simple stuff that we do everyday can actually bond you and your kid even more.