July 7, 2007 3:22 PM
Kids at work
If you're looking for something for your kids to do on a nice day, don't forget the appeal of working outside with water - and there's no mess to clean up.
Today my kids washed the van. Last Saturday the Downzers (our family's affectionate name for our four sons with Down syndrome - not a putdown, but a celebration of who they are) brought out all the chairs from the kitchen. Daniel lined them up perfectly. Jonny wielded the hose. And they washed up a storm:
Happy kids - children find their self-esteem in their work (just like adults). And happy mom with clean chairs.
Always be thinking of ways to involve your kids in "important" stuff.
Posted in Family, Montessori, Mothering, Preschoolers | Permalink
Comments
What a great activity! Barbara, you never fail to inspire me.
I can think of so many things which would benefit from a good outdoor soaping by my son--wastepaper baskets, laundry baskets, toy bins and door mats.
Posted by: Meredith | July 7, 2007 7:24 PM
I was telling my nine and seven year olds that they were old enough to wash the van by themselves. They weren't buying it.
Posted by: Dapopppins | July 7, 2007 8:53 PM
I am SO stealing this idea. My chairs will be outside next week, being scrubbed by my kids! And I also agree that MEANINGFUL chores are much more fun to kids. Because they know they're actually helping with the household!
Posted by: Janet | July 8, 2007 1:40 AM
Fabulous photos! Can I borrow them to wash our chairs? :)
Posted by: Rebecca P. | July 8, 2007 2:50 PM
Barbara,
much thanks for your inspiration over time. My goal this summer was to teach my kiddos to work, even though they're well beyond that Montesorri window (one is even a teenager).
We've scraped, painted, mulched, dug, built, served, baked ...If I can offer some motivation to other moms in my shoes...it's never too late! My kids are feeling really good about themselves and I'm so much less cranky not being the only one doing stuff.
The hardest part was getting MYSELF on the stick to get it started. The first day was hard, too, since there had to be consistent consequences for disobedience and I wanted to give up because it was such a reminder of my past failure.
But now, we just naturally get up, check the chore list, and Barbara's mantra "First we work, then we play" guides us until after lunch. We work again before supper and again before bed. Free Time is SO APPRECIATED AROUND HERE and bickering is almost gone! And my property looks really cared for, too : )
Posted by: floorplan | July 9, 2007 2:20 PM
