Helping Hands - Mowing

I've spoken in the past about my kids helping teach their younger siblings to do things and last week was a prime example of it in action. Josiah is 12 and he enjoys mowing the yard and started last week to teach his eight year old brother to mow as well. Below are some pics of them working together. I love this and it blesses my heart to see them work together so well.

Josiah teaching Micah how to mow

Helping with the corners

Walking along beside Micah and

letting him mow on his own :)

Good job, Josiah and Micah! I'm so proud of you both.

Training Them Up

Yes, that's my three year old folding laundry. He loves to help fold towels and washcloths and he is actually quite good at it. I always lavish him with praise at how good he did and let him know how much I appreciate his help. I get, in return, a huge hug and smile. I love it.

Do you have your little ones help out with chores? If not encourage them now to do what they can to help. The little ones actually enjoy it more than the older ones, and they will be less likely to argue with you about it. So encourage the little ones and always remember to smother them in praise as they help. It will also make them want to help again next time. Got to love sweet little helping hands. I know I do.

Helping Hands

Jonathan helping in the kitchen

If you've read my earlier posts then you know that I have a difficult time sharing the responsibility of cooking (since I LOVE to cook). I also realize that I need to teach my children how to cook, so I do share this responsibility. I just thought I would post a couple of cute pics from yesterday as proof that I am keeping my word to smile and continue letting the little ones help so that they can learn too. Just so you know, he did actually help brown the meat. I didn't just pose him there for the pic (trust me, he wouldn't have been smiling if he wasn't really cooking) and I did keep a very close eye on him while at the stove. Enjoy!

Chores

Josiah doing dishes

Matthew clearing the table

Kaitlyn sweeping the kitchen

Micah vacuuming living room

Just thought I would post some pictures of my children doing their chores. As I have mentioned before, each of my children have daily chores that they are expected to do everyday so the house doesn't get out of control. With everyone doing their part, the house is more organized and there is more peace and unity. Everyone just seems to be in a better mood when things are clean. There is no way I could keep up a house with nine people living in it all by myself, so I teach my children that they have a responsibility to help as well. It keeps things in order at home as well as teaches my children how to do it for themselves one day.

I know this verse usually refers to teaching a child about walking with Jesus, but I also think it pertains to everything we teach them.

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

Helping Hands

I think it is so important to teach our children to help out around the house. One day they will have their own home and they will need to take care of it, so it is my responsibility to teach them. Keeping a home neat and clean does not just come naturally to everyone. To not teach them is doing them a disservice. I also think they should start learning as soon as possible. Now I'm not talking about being a slave driver. I do believe children should be children, but I don't believe that means all play and no work. Part of life is about fulfilling responsibilities, and we all have the responsibility of creating a happy home environment. The way to do that is to teach our children this responsibility as well. If everyone is doing their part, then no one person is having to do too much.

Now I have no problem with the children helping sweep, do dishes, clean bathrooms and such, the hard part for me is letting them help cook. You see, I LOVE to cook. That's my down time. I just enjoy cooking, it's not a burden for me. Of course, my children LOVE cooking too, so I'm having to learn to SHARE this job. It's the one thing I have to remind myself to have a meek and quiet spirit with. I can be in the kitchen fixing a meal and one of my precious children will come in and ask if they can help. Now I know I should be happy they are asking and gladly invite them over to help. Instead, I have to take a breath and make myself smile and invite them over. But, I do invite them over. I know that it is important for my children to learn to cook. It will help them with their budgets and to save a lot of money when they are adults. So, I CHOOSE to smile and CHOOSE to let the little ones come pour measured amounts of stuff in the bowls and stir and mix and pour, even though it takes longer. And I CHOOSE to enjoy this time and try to remember these cute little hands doing something that makes them feel BIG. I should be happy they want to spend time with me, so I CHOOSE to enjoy spending this time with them. One day when they are all grown up I'm sure these will be my fondest memories.