*Organized Chaos*

Apr. 9, 2007 - Heart Issue or Innate Roles?

I've been having some difficulties getting my older boys to do their inside chores properly, the first time. They don't typically complain, but they just seem to dawdle and don't get much done on their own.

My daughter, Julia, on the other hand, hardly ever complains about what she knows she needs to do. She is so careful to keep her room spotless and often does extra things to help without even being asked. The other day I wasn't feeling good and was resting. Julia unloaded the dishwasher, loaded it (I was thoroughly impressed - and I'm very picky about the way the dishwasher is loaded!), swept the kitchen floor and cleaned the rooms for which her brothers are responsible!! She saw what needed to be done and did it!

Just to give you an idea of what is required, here is a list of their inside chores:

Julia --
clear table after breakfast
tidy and vacuum the living room before Daddy gets home
set table for dinner
help mommy fold clean towels

Ethan --
put away clean dishes w/ Zach (sometimes up to 3 x's a day)
tidy and vacuum the guest/TV room
clear table after lunch
hang up clean clothes

Zach --
put away dishes w/ Ethan
tidy and vacuum the front play room
clear and wipe table after dinner
help mommy fold the clean clothes.

All three are also required to keep their rooms clean and do a number of things to help me help care for younger siblings (pick out clothes, grab diapers, buckle or un-buckle seat belts in the car, or whatever else I see fit.)

Maybe it's a heart issue... Julia has a servant's heart and is constantly watching out for things that she can do to help others. It's almost like she is doing what she was born to do.

Maybe it's more about the male and female roles being completely innate... My boys are so eager to do yard work, build things and work with their hands. They never, ever complain about outside tasks that are asked of them.

Hmmmm......

Leave a Note!

Apr. 10, 2007 - What a good girl!

Posted by pottershand

I enjoyed visiting your blog. I have three girls (7,5,2), but I cannot say that any of them are that excited about chores. They tend to be more like your boys....dwaddling a lot. Maybe one day they will cross over to the diligent side.

Permanent Link

Apr. 10, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Tiany

Great post, wish I could help but with 4 boys I have nothing to compare them to ;-)

I will often have to tell the boys to redo something if they have rushed through it and have done a sloppy job of folding or cleaning...

Congrats on your nominations! I have had such fun voting and visiting new blogs, there are so many!!!

Hugs & Blessings,
Tiany

Permanent Link

Apr. 10, 2007 - boys, girls...who knows

Posted by AutumnTerrill

I have 2 boys who are 12 and 10 and a 4yo daughter. I don't know yet about my girl but my boys are as different as night and day. My older boy is really good about his chore and pretty thorough. He doesn't complain or grumble about doing his chores and just gets to it and get its all done.
My younger son dawdles, complains and has a hard time completing his chores. He constantly "forgets" certain aspects of his job and has to be reminded. (refill the napkin holder, sweep under the bakers rack, etc. )
In my case it's def not a boy/girl thing but a personality thing.
I hope the little girl will take after her oldest bro:) But she's showing signs of being a little more like the other. :)

Permanent Link

Apr. 11, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous

Gotta be some of both. At least that's my guess since I have seen both extremes in my children, and they're all girls! I gave you a thinking blogger award on my blog tonight :-) Talk to you tomorrow!
Love, Melis

Permanent Link

Apr. 11, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by TwaddleMeNot

Oops, the last comment was me!

Permanent Link

<- Last Page :: Next Page ->

With all of the toys, books and school stuff filling our home, it tends to looks as if it is void of any order. In reality we are very systematic in the way our main parts (each family member) are connected, so as to form one whole unit (our family), thus creating "organized chaos".

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting