The first part of bedtime in our house is "clean up time," otherwise known as "shovel out from the chaos just enough so that it looks livable." Tonight I was busily prodding my children along to pick up their toys, and I asked my son to take a bag to my room. On his way, he said loudly, "I'm like your slave! I do whatever you say."
Now, at this moment a lot of things went through my head. First was a brief nanosecond of guilt where I actually wondered if I was expecting too much of my six-year-old. This thought quickly left when I realized that it was coming from the kid whose day consisted off: TV, two hours at the park, legos and a popsicle. Then came other thoughts like "if only…" and "how does he know what a slave is anyway?"
I explained to him that a slave is someone who does all the work and that the other person does none. I asked him in succession: who does the laundry? (me) who cooked dinner? (me) Who washes the dishes? (me) Who cleans the bathroom? (me) who vacuums the floor? (me). So he could not possibly be a slave because I do most of the work and only ask for a little help. Makes sense, right? His response?
"Oh, you're the slave!" Yes, honey, now you're getting closer.
Laura can be found trying not to be a slave to housework at mommymenagerie!
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I have tried to teach my children to "respect the effort", If either of us (my wife or myself) has taken the time to prepare a meal, they must return the favor and clean up after we eat.
I enjoy the family hour, but without respect and ongoing contributions from all, my wife will rebel and it will end….
We never want to piss off their mother, no do we?