Posted in Confessions of an Imperfect Momma

Before I get into this topic, I would like to emphasize the importance of properly training our children. When an adult begins a new job, he enters a training period in which he learns how to do his job correctly. His boss or another proficient employee explains what he is required to do, shows him how to use the tools of the trade (from hammers to computers), and walks him through the tasks he will complete on a regular basis. We cannot expect our children to be thorough or effective at any task unless we first take the time to patiently teach them how to perform it.

Our role as parents is to train our children for life. This is a huge job. There is a lot to be learned. Many things can be taught as principles, however, that can be applied to many facets of life. One principle is that of thoroughness.

How is thoroughness taught? First we train our children how to do simple chores around the house, like making a bed. We show them how to do the task when they are reasonably old enough to complete it. Then we give them lots of grace while they practice this job every morning, not fussing over the lumps in the blanket or the off-centered pillow, but praising their efforts. In time they should get better and better at this job until they are able to do it nearly perfect.

There are times that a child will show a tendency toward laziness or rebelliousness when doing this task. After having been properly trained and given sufficient practice, a child may continually have a poorly made bed. This is an opportunity to teach an important life principle -- that of thoroughness -- and correct a character flaw before it costs him dearly as an adult.

If you go in to check that the job was done and you find it done poorly, the logical consequence is to have the child do it again -- correctly. If the poorly made bed has become a chronic issue, then a creative consequence must follow. In this case, the child may be given "bed duty" in which he/she has the job of making ALL the beds in the house for a week or until he/she is able to make the bed correctly, whichever comes later. This repitition not only gives practice in getting the task done, but drives home the point that a job is to be done -- and done well -- in a way that no other punishment or consequence can.

Another creative consequence to help children do a thorough job is to assign a "foreman." When one of my children was required to sweep under the dining room table after meals, I found her missing a lot of food on a continual basis, even after having her come back and do the job again. So I assigned her older brother to be her "foreman." He followed her around as she swept and told her "You missed a spot" every time she missed a chunk of food on the floor. This drove her crazy. :-) I've never had to ask her to come back and re-sweep since! Of course, when the tables were turned, she was thrilled. When that same brother did a poor job wiping off the table and chairs after a meal, she was assigned foreman over him. He is now a very thorough wiper-upper!

Occasionally explaining to the children how important thoroughness is in real-life situations may help them understand why you expect so much out of their chores. It's not about lumps in the blankets or crumbs on the floor. It's about a job well-done. It's about being a person that your boss or spouse and children can depend on. It's about representing the character of Christ to a lost and dying world. And it's about pleasing our Lord.

"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' " Matthew 25:21 NIV