I do not have perfect children. I’m trying to teach my five year old to sweep. After she has swept the dining room, I check it. Most of the time I get a full dust pan and wonder what she got in her dust pan. I also wonder whether it’s worth it to walk with them through the steps of cleaning when even their best work is not always much better than nothing.
But, my friend Mary mentioned something that I’m been thinking about for awhile. She said that mothers should be having their toddlers make their beds because it’s the routine and practice that are most valuable, not necessarily that the bed be perfectly made. I liked that thought, and discovered it can apply to a great many things I want my children to do.
Alas, I’ll have to carry this conversation forward.
Sometimes I will do a job first (leaving a little dust, or a few fingerprints) and then have my child do the job. Then at least I can be honest when I say “what a great job you did!” because it actually looks good, instead of saying, “well, keep trying”. Don’t think one way is better than the other, the important thing is having them get into the habit of helping and knowing their work helps the family.
That’s a good idea, Laura. Right now I’ve told her that when I can’t get much on my dustpan, then I’ll know she’s become a master sweeper. 🙂 I should let her sweep after me in the same manner.