August 25, 2005

Cracking the Whip

Now that Dorothy is walking and talking, Elizabeth and I have decided that it's time for Dorothy to pull her weight around the house. Starting last week, we've started giving Dorothy chores to do. You know, easy things like fetching pails of water, milking the cows, etc.

Actually, we're starting with one simple chore, with which she receives lots of help. Dorothy is now feeding the cats. Every evening before bathtime, we all go into the bathroom where their bowls & food are kept. Dorothy helps get out the bucket of cat food, and we get down the food bowls. We usually have to help Dorothy scoop out the food because she can't really reach all the way into the current bucket (we're going to get a smaller one). She then takes the scoop and dumps the food mostly into the bowl (which one of us usually holds for her, since her aim is better when the bowl is up off the ground). Kibbles that fall onto the floor are usually picked up and put into the bowl by hand.

Once we get a smaller food bucket, I think Dorothy might be able to handle feeding the cats mostly by herself within a couple of months, perhaps sooner. Then we'll add another chore, like mowing the lawn. ;-)

So, are Elizabeth and I monsters for making such a young child do a "chore," or are we late to the chore party?

Posted by Tom Nugent at August 25, 2005 08:22 PM
Comments

I promised long ago to never comment on how any of my friends raised their children, wether that philosophy be laisez faire or involve a cage of some kind, becuase no matter what I said, it would just get me in trouble.

Posted by: Tom at August 25, 2005 08:45 PM

That's probably a wise stance to take with your friends, Tom. For us, though, I'm sure Dorothy's grandparents will have no qualms about commenting. :-)

Posted by: Tom Nugent at August 25, 2005 10:31 PM

It's never too early to start doing chores! Children like to be helpful. They feel important and learn about responsibility. Chores are fun when you're very young. Let her enjoy it while she can...with any luck, the enjoyment will last a long time ;)

Posted by: Grandma Chris at August 25, 2005 11:12 PM

Don't worry about it, Tom, you had me doing YOUR chores at a much younger age, and just look at how I turned out!

Posted by: Keith at August 27, 2005 08:07 AM
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