The Laundry Barons
I taught my two oldest boys how to do laundry this week. They have just been dying to get their grubby little paws onto all those buttons on the washer machine…so why shoot myself in the foot and wait until their interest wains? I bought them each their own laundry hamper, and they chose a day upon which each of them is the king of the laundry room (Friday for my 5-year-old, Saturday for my seven-year-old) and we launched into the task at full thrusters. My oldest was in love. “I don’t want you to do laundry for me ever again Momma!” He explained, carefully waiting for my reply. I feigned concern, ‘Well, I don’t know if I can stop…”, but he insisted with further demands and so reluctantly (he he) I gave in. My middle boy was so proud, and when I tried to show him how to fold his newly washed load…”No Momma! Let me do it myself!!!” And me…I was able to bring a sense of pride and accomplishment into their lives, watch them master a difficult new task and bask in a sense of accomplishment, all while teaching myself out of a job. Man I love to watch those boys grow and learn and shine. What do you love to teach your children? Is there any greater parenting delight than to see them get all bright-eyed and proud?
