Why I Try To Say Yes

When kids are little, they often want to do whatever Mom does. We moms must have a real nack for making the mundane look exciting! Sometimes all that "help" can be overwhelming and it's tempting to just do things yourself. But taking a little extra time now to let little ones help can pay big dividends later because they will learn the skills and they are more likely to be willing helpers later if they have been allowed and praised for helping. That's why tonight I let my well meaning 11 year old male dinner tonight (even if it may have been faster to do it myself).  I also let my 2 and 6 year olds "clean"the floors. I will thank myself someday when dinner is on the table and my floors are clean. And even if that dream never becomes a reality, maybe a future spouse can harvest these seeds.

It's a New Day

It amuses (and annoys) me that I have to remain my older boys daily to tackle care of personal hygiene issues while at the same time Sam seems to be a little overzealous about some aspects. He changes his underwear everytime he gets dressed,including pajamas.

"Sam, why do you need to change your underwear at night? You change them in the morning."

"It's already a new day on the otherside of the world,obviously.so I need new underwear."

Hard to debate with that kind of logic.

Multiple Times

As we were preparing to leave daycare the other day, I packed some of Sam's things together knowing he is likely to forget something. I can't count the number of times we have left shoes, boots,  blankets or other important items behind. I was a little surprised when he asked where his gloves were since that is an easily forgotten thing.

"I already put them in your backpack, Sam. "

"Why would you do that," he asked.

"Because I've met you before."

"Of course you have,we've met multiple times."