Over the last ten days the boys and I have discussed what they will have to do while I am working full time. Some of them volunteered to do extra responsibilities. Others were volunteered by me.
Nick volunteered to do the laundry. He already knew how to separate the colors. Yea. He proceeded to stuff everything in the washing machine. I had to gently tell him to keep the clothes loose, so that the water and soap could actually clean.
Then I made the mistake of answering the phone while Nick put in the soap. Upon my return I saw soap covering all the clothes. I asked him how much he put in. He responded, "Enough." Trying not to flinch, I showed him how much he should have put in, two tablespoons. He shyly whispered that he put in about five more. Since we make our own laundry soap, I was not too sure what the result would be. I could imagine the movie scene, where the machine oozes bubbles throughout the house. Alas, no such thing happened.
Then the next morning I found those same clothes still in the washing machine. I asked Nick about putting them in the dryer. "But you didn't say I had to!" Is this a mom thing or what? When clothes are put in the washing machine, they have to go in to dryer...
So I reran the load, and then put them in the dryer. The clothes came out fine. Now they sit on the couch because no one has said, "Please fold your clothes."
It's become quite obvious that what I think is obvious is not to the boys. They need specific directions, but then again, I have been doing this for years. It is very easy to forget how I learned, yet I want them to master these tasks NOW. Nick responded quite well to suggestions and compliments. Gee, I prefer those too!
photo credit: antwerpenR
Thorough, written instructions are very helpful for anyone that doesn't usually do something -- especially when they are posted near the chore location. I'm sure they'll all catch on! And, well, I have a load of my own laundry that hasn't been folded yet . . . maybe somebody should tell me to fold it!
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