"I don't want you to do it because you want a reward, because of my nagging or even because of wanting to reduce Mama's workload.
I want you to do it because you understand it's your responsibility and it's only right to do a part to help out in the house you live in and help each other too."
Yup, when it comes to disciplining the kids, I am of the belief that while force creates resistance, good relationships build autonomy. It's taken us a long way, coupled with lots of long-windedness, to get here but at least these three now know to come over and lend a hand whenever it's laundry time. The girls also keep their own clothes afterwards and tidy their own wardrobe too. Even if it's a little messy by most standards and the clothes are not perfectly folded, it's something we can live with.
Now that I have a couple of hours free on weekday mornings, I do try to take over a good part of this never ending chore. But on some days, I can't help but think that I should wait to do it when they are home so that they don't take it for granted that their clothes will be washed, hung, folded and ironed for them day after day.
Remember how we rejected a sponsored dryer when we moved in and I was apprehensive about it for a while? I think it turned out to be a good decision because it gave me a chance to inculcate a sense of responsibility in the kids and we've managed to find our rhythm too. (The hubby also helps me out if we have late night washing to do and I do appreciate that too. Quite romantic to hang the clothes together after the kids go to bed, hor?)
Well, it's not that I love doing the laundry but it's also not like I dread it nowadays too, you know, thanks to their company, their high pitched singing and all the stories they tell.
#ahappymum #asahmstory #kidscandochorestoo #letthemstartyoung #thisishowwedoit
