Painting the Memories of Home -

Nov. 8, 2007

I enjoyed all the chore feedback and still haven't had time to make my chore chart. Pretty sad, huh. Thank you so much, everyone who took the time to give input. It was really inspiring to read the different modes of chore-life in various homes. Our kids are so capable!! Chores build self-esteem and life-skills. I used to have a chore chart printed up and hung on the frig, then on a whiteboard...in Ohio the whiteboard was always safe, but somehow here it gets smudged and that's not so helpful when Mom's trying to remember who's doing what. Sometimes I suspect the smudges aren't so accidental!!

We've had the kids help ever since they could throw their diaper in the trash can for Mommy. Usually sorting the silverware out from the dishwasher is the entry job into chore life around age 3 or 4. Jamie has that job right now. My oldest has graduated from dishwasher duty since now he takes on some occasional babysitting for me.

But my kids are very helpful when I ask them to do things. They have willing hearts, so that's a big step in the right direction. Currently the oldest three are responsible for unloading the dishwasher, taking out kitchen trash, collecting the house trash from wastebaskets, and bringing their laundry to the machines. I've had "laundry helper" be a rotating week-long job. Feeding the dog and turtle are also in their realm of duties along with wiping bathroom sinks and counters. My eleven year old can clean a bathroom reasonably well, but I usually only ask him when company is coming over. Every night, one child is dinner helper. That person helps mom chop food, stir, or make a salad and set the table. It's a fun opportunity to pass on cooking skills as well as "bond with Mom." Sampling the cuisine, testing out spices and other little perks make this a time that's seen as a privilege rather than an onerous task. And after each meal, one person has that meal's clean-up duty. I usually am doing a good bit of it alongside that child. So what I really want is for each person to go on auto-pilot and do these things without the reminding, but I suppose that's asking a lot right now. I'm going to try the "Chore Packs" by Managers of Their Chores.

On regular life notes...my parents and sister are coming to visit for the first time! We're so excited! They haven't seen baby C yet, so this will be their first introduction to her. I was feeling a little worried about having them stay in my little 3 brm house that will bring the number of sleepers to 10 under its roof. But I spoke with a woman tonight at Bible study who grew up here in Hawaii with 13 people living in her childhood 3 brm-ONE-bath home in Honolulu. Her parents and siblings all slept in one room, her uncle and aunt and children in another and grandparent & cousin in the third bedroom and an uncle slept in the parlor. This "Ohana" (meaning family) style of living has been a way of life here in Hawaii. So that puts some perspective in my thoughts. Sometimes I feel I'm so spoiled and don't even realize it. What I feel like I "have to have" to be comfortable. As we read in 1 Peter tonight, "Live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear..." It's good to remind myself that I shouldn't try to get TOO comfortable, since this world is not my true home. Well, I digress...after a few nights with us, they'll stay in a cabin on the beach.

Homeschooling will go on pause as we catch up on island field trips and explorations. I will surely have some good pictures to post in the next few weeks. We're definitely ready for a break since we've been going strong since early August. Although the "driver" and "thorough" personality in me is fighting that somehow. For all of you getting to experience fall...I'm envying you right now!! We miss the leaves and colors...the change. It's so bizarre to be in place that isn't really changing!

With lots of "aloha,"

Christa

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Comments

Nov. 9, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Petersonclan

I want a picture of your family! I was thinking today how much I miss them. And although I will blog about what caused these thoughts, I was remembering your dad (and maybe your mom, but I don't remember her being as funny) in that skit... EPTA- Embarrasing Parents of Teenagers Anonymous... remember that?! I wonder where everyone from staff is now...

Anyway- have a great time, and please send me a photo!