Walking Therein

Teaching Children Responsibility at Home

I just heard Jocelyn ask Hannah if she wanted to start dinner. Makes me proud.
Hannah is 7 1/2. She is in the kitchen, cooking the chicken in the iron skillet right now. She also peels the carrots and potatoes when that is on the menu, and today, she cut up all of the Brandywine and Roma tomatoes and put them into freezer bags for when we process and can them.
Part of her kitchen duties are to wash and dry the dishes and put away what she can reach. She vacuums, of course, and cleans off countertops and picks up the floors.


I am not giving you all of this to boast or to say that she is always the perfect little helper. Right now she is the perfect little helper... this afternoon - not so much. We have just had so many Moms and young girls amaze at the fact that the girls cook and clean and sew and milk goats, etc. I know that there are many who do such household tasks, but, still people are amazed.
Truthfully, Jocelyn was amazed when she played softball a couple years back, and none of the girls knew how to cook! I can't imagine cooking and cleaning like a maid for children who will grow up and expect others to do for them, instead of taking the time to do for and be proud of themselves.  To feel a sense of accomplishment in a job well worth doing.


 I will tell you, though, it is never to early to start. We have Caleb and Isaac help too, and they are 4 and 2. They can help. They can pick things up and put things away for themselves and their siblings. It is fun at their ages, if I don't make it a drudgery to them. They will also learn that they can pick up and put way for others, not just their own things.
We have always done things like this with the Littles, because we have oodles of pictures with them dusting, vacuuming... just helping Mommy. As our older children got older, the Littles sometimes got a little lost in it all, but we still included them in the cleaning. I mean, what do you do when you are cleaning? Put them in front of a video? NOT.
You definitely don't want to start that habit. Then, your children will get to be the age you think they should help, and they will think they should be in front of the tv or video games or computer... You do NOT want that mess!!
The later you start, the more of a battle it will be. If you start a bit late - or a lot late... ENDURE THE BATTLE! It really will be worth it in the end. Apologize for not teaching them a good work ethic and good habits, and tell them just how important it is today as a part of your family and for the future, as they have their own family.
ok... gotta go... Jocelyn just came in here with Hannah... Hannah's crying, and Jocelyn said, "I'm working them too hard!". Hannah had been cutting up an onion!
;)

blessings! -Jacque

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

Hi

8:09 PM, Monday, September 17, 2007 .. Posted by Barb

Saw your blog and liked it. Sounds like you have a beautiful family!!!!

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10:12 PM, Monday, September 17, 2007 .. Posted by sharla88

LOL I also am amazzed that girls my age cant cook when my mom works its my job to make dinner. I cant stand useing the comp. or TV for a babysitter when i babysit the lady tells me if the kids get too much to handle to turn on the TV but i dont it dosent help it makes them fussier!!! love to hear from you!!!!
GB~
sharla~

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10:33 PM, Monday, September 17, 2007 .. Posted by HeartnSoul

That is cute about the onion heheee. My DD is a wonderful cook, she gets an idea to make something and just follows directions. My boys.... need help lol. They all have a night they are responsible for, but the boys do not like learning how to take care of themselves :P I suppose that needs to be modeled..

Hey I got your package today! Jaden is reading the comic bible, that is great! Thanks so much!

hugs
Denise

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10:32 AM, Tuesday, September 18, 2007 .. Posted by Ruth

Unfortunately, I didn't learn this until later. I am now teaching this to my children, although they are older (14 & 10). It is so true that they come to think of it all being your responsibility, which is so wrong and selfish.
Ruth

PLEASE!!!

12:19 PM, Tuesday, September 18, 2007 .. Posted by Vicki

There are times that I seek the advice, and wisdom of other parents/mothers, and this is one of them....

So, please, if you have a minute or two, will you please pop over to my blog and read acouple of entries for me, and possibly leave me a note as to what you think??

I will leave you the specific URL's to the entries, but if you want to read all of my non-advertisement entries, go down the right side of my menu to "categories" and hit "Family News"....

If you don't want to, or don't have time...it's okay, I understand!!!

http://prairierosesamongthorns.com/vblog/2007/09/18/doesnt-it-always-happen/

http://prairierosesamongthorns.com/vblog/2007/09/18/frustrated-beyond-knowing/

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1:54 PM, Tuesday, September 18, 2007 .. Posted by tumbleweeds78

AMEN AMEN AMEN to your post, Children now a days are born with everything just given to them without the learning that it takes work to get the reward, I have my days with my kids too and this morning was no different when it was time to pick weeds, but alas at least it was few short min of crying.lol

Good advice

5:11 PM, Wednesday, September 19, 2007 .. Posted by JoyfulMomma

I have not been as diligent in teaching my children to help around the house, although we have been working to correct that. Your post was a good reminder to keep on keeping on, even when it is so much easier to just do it myself. Thanks.

Belynda

Hello Dear Friend

3:35 AM, Tuesday, September 25, 2007 .. Posted by JillNovak

Well, Eric and I just finished the carnival. I know you know how much work they are. I was thinking this is really the best of homeschool isn't it? What a learning experience for both him and me. Anyway, thank you for your dear comments. I will try to write more - now that I have a little break. I know that we need to encourage each other - and anything I write will be preserved for my children. Yes, I miss blogging big time.
I love your post here. What truth and wisdom. The little ones love and need to follow us around and be a part of the family. Oh, I cringe at the thought of the video sitter (just made that up). What you said was so powerful. I can't wait to meet the Littles. You are such a blessed momma. Well, I'm heading off to bed. It's very late. Thank you for sharing this post and the one about the Girlhood. I hope many mothers find us through your kind reviews. I look forward to Jocelyn's next installment. Tell Jocelyn and Amanda I appreciate their most recent posts.

Edited by JillNovak on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 at 2:36 AM

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2:54 PM, Tuesday, September 25, 2007 .. Posted by BritishColumbia

I always say we should start them off in the direction we want them to go! Hmmm, doesn't the Bible say that too? "Train them up the way they should go" I think that applies to cooking and cleaning up too, doesn't it?
You'ge got really lovely children Jacque, they are a real credit to you!
Kathleen
http://www.kateyz.blogspot.com

How Sweet!

6:50 PM, Thursday, September 27, 2007 .. Posted by MOMflippedisWOW

I love when my kids help each other learn things!
My daughters have been teaching thier little brother to cook which ended up with him telling his father the other night that HE would do the cooking as nobody LIKES Dad's cooking, lol.

Now if they'd only cook for me when I'm home....
;)