INSIDE OUT

So, my kids are with me in my home... a lot. They take turns cooking with me, they make their beds, they get rags (I've only just discovered this trick), wet them and go underneath the table to clean the legs of the chairs and table and the list is growing as they get older. Oh, kids can do so much at this age.

When I first started receiving complaints about them cleaning (insert three year old middle child), I would try and make cleaning fun! This mostly worked as long as I was there to help. When I didn't have time to help as I was cleaning/cooking/planning/organizing/cleaning/cooking/planning... I would meet with some hostility. So, as any mother who wants to model what she asks of her kids would do, I keep my countenance high, put on a "happy face" and attempt each day to teach them that working in the home can be, well, FUN!

The other day, as we're driving home, J asks, "where's daddy?"

"He's at work", I explain.

"Oh"... pause ...

"Mommy doesn't work".

Insert shock and half-laugh/half you-better-explain-yourself-QUICK question...

"WHAT"?! I quickly reply. "What do you MEAN mommy doesn't work? What do you think I DO all day!?

... pause ... A brilliant light hits his face as though he just realized why his mommy doesn't work the way his three year old mind might see work, and replies...

"DO DISHES"!

*sigh*