Something must be done.
In an effort to make my children more appreciative and less, well, spoiled. I have decided they need to work more. The other day while doing yard work I tried the reward system. Otherwise known as bribery. I even let them choose their reward. Raspberry milkshakes, to be received immediately upon completion of the chore I assigned them.
The Chore: pulling weeds.
Simple enough, one would think. It was only 72 degrees and I was working outside too. It's not like I was forcing them to do my work so I could sit in the shade sipping Mountain Dew. So the girls begin with a lack of any enthusiasm what-so-ever, and commence for, oh, about two minutes. They then proceed to sit on the step and argue over who pulled more weeds. It went something like this:
Han: I pulled like eleven weeds.
Sig: Well, I pulled three!
Han: (with eye roll) Eleven is WAY more than three.
Sig: I mean I pulled a thousand.
Han: No you didn't. You pulled, like, one.
Sig: I pulled eighteen, that's what I meant. You only pulled eleven. Eighteen is way more than that.
Han: No you didn't, you just said you pulled three.
Me: It really doesn't matter because neither of you pulled enough to earn your milkshake.
Han: WHAT! I worked! You said if I pulled weeds I'd get one, and I pulled weeds!
Me: Two minutes is not worthy of a milkshake. It would take me longer to make it than it took you to pull your eleven weeds.
Han: That is so not FAIR!
After which she storms off with exaggerated foot stomps--and a mimic shadow.
Seriously. I am such a mean mom! So, I tried again today. A little more work and then similar results. As both girls sat arguing on the step while Rob and I tore, dug, hacked and sawed THIS:
from the ground where our tree used to live, (which, even after hours of work until our arms turned to mush barely put a dent in this:)
I decided I needed another plan. The girls had high expectations for the evening and I wanted more work out them before they got it. So I got the brilliant idea to have them clean the kitchen. Hannah readily agreed and rushed inside. Soon Sig wanders out with a plate. On it sits a peanut butter and honey sandwich. Which she made herself. Hannah rushes out. "I want one. She's not even cleaning!"
"I could make you one." Signe suggests--the four year old to the eight year old.
"Okay." Hannah agrees. They turn to go inside.
"Do you even know how to make one of these, because I am kinda like a mom, you know." Sig says as they walk back inside.
I laugh. A short time later they come out with plates of peanut butter and honey sandwiches and my kitchen is clean. Hooray!
Too bad the roots aren't out. . .and my arms no longer work. What else do you suppose I could make them clean. . . .
12 comments:
Friends with kids who have chores and do them happily....
Nope, I'm sorry, I don't believe that such children exist. I will need photographic evidence, please.
I'm glad your kitchen got clean... and without adult supervision! I'd say that's pretty impressive!
Let me know if you ever get that whold chore thing worked out...it's still eluding me...
visiting from SITS. Congrats on the Comment Winner title.
yeesh. what a huge job. Maybe you should rent a stump grinder and hope it's capable of grinding freaky sci-fi weeds too.
Yeah, I've often wondered when we should start Avery on some chores... I guess now's as good a time as any!
I loved reading the girls argument, I can just hear it now:)
That conversation takes place in my house on a regular basis. I laughed the whole way through it. My 5 year olds response to my requests for help with chores is always "Chores are boring." No kidding pal...,the sooner we get them done the sooner we can play. It makes me crazy. Oh and we LOVE PB and honey in our house. As for the tree root...ummm....pile dirt over and call it a day???
We ground the stump out and what's left is the crazy roots! And I have to level it to plant grass, so it all must go!
My kids go through phases of doing chores well. I am determined, however, not to have lazy kids...so I keep trying. I usually make them get all their work done (piano, reading, cleaning rooms, etc.) before they can play, etc. This works great in the summer but much harder in the school year. Good Luck!
Bribery is a staple in our house!
Love your new red shoes! And your description of the perfect place to live sounds great. Let me know if you find it! (You don't need much);)
My two older ones never knew there was an alternative to saying "yes mom. We'll help clean up!" (hooray! homeschooling!). My two younger ones.......oh I shudder even thinking about trying to 'break their spirits' enough to do ANYTHING. In other words, I have no helpful advice. Maybe, when they become stinky teenagers, you can do one of those dramatic tactics--like taking their door off the hinges, and stripping their room of everything but a mattress on the floor. That sounds like fun for everyone :)!
My kids hate chores ... even if paid. I am not sure how they are ever going to hold down a job.
Thanks for visitng my blog yesterday! Have a great day!
I know you aren't talking about my kids! Happily....no! Obey...usually!
you are such a worker bee
Andy must be taking notes from your girls! He hates pulling weeds. The other day, we spent about an hour together pulling weeds and after he got bored, I kept at it for another hour or so. The terrible thing about weeds is that they just keep coming back!! So I feel your pain.
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