Family working together - just so neat

[homemaker carol]

Last night after supper the whole family got outside and worked together as a unit. Dh did the whipper snipping around the flowerbeds, trees, etc. Ds#1 pushed the lawn mower. Dd helped me with weeding then watered the flowerbeds and helped me also plant some free Spanish onions. Ds#2 played quietly on his own so we could get the work done. Even Kyla was obedient.

I love working together as a family unit. We always tell our kids thats what makes a family.

[debbiepittman]

I wish we could get my kids to help. My 5 year old will only help do some laundry (switch it out) and older dd (8) will do dishes now and then.

Debbie

[homemaker carol]

Debbie its consistency. We started with one thing then gradually added another. I firmly believe each member needs to help. It makes a family unit. Kids aren't the boss, the younger they learn that the better.

Our kids have set nights they do the dishes.
They fold all their own clothes - this took months to get it right.
They keep their bedrooms neat.
They make their own beds
Dd helps me clean the post office
They help outside
Ds takes the garbage out.
Even ds#2 has jobs (making his own bed, putting his dirty dishes in sink). He has Down syndrome.

All 3 of my kids are special needs.

When I was growing up, my mom didn't allow me to do anything. She always needed perfection and so did everything herself. When I left home and got married, I was clueless and had so much to learn. I'm teaching my kids now so when they do eventually leave home, they can keep their own homes. Heaven forbid that my one son should get married and expect his wife to do everything. Or for my dd not to know how to do dishes or clean house.

[mom2knk]

Very neat CJ!!!! We try very hard to do the same, yardwork day is a time where all of us are outside and we each have a specific job that has to be done. Ds who is 11 really really wants to push the lawn mower so we make sure he understands that if he continues to do a good job at sweeping up the clippings and other yard waste, when he is just a little older he will be able to mow the grass.......gives him an incentive to work with us! We tell the kids all the time that if we just take a few minutes and work together we can accomplish so much!!!!

[homemaker carol]

Blanche, I also believe that a family working together frees up time so that a family can do fun things together. It isn't mom or mom/dad doing all the work. For us, having time to play is far more important so we all work together to free up precious time to do just that.

[mom2knk]

Blanche, I also believe that a family working together frees up time so that a family can do fun things together. It isn't mom or mom/dad doing all the work. For us, having time to play is far more important so we all work together to free up precious time to do just that.

Absolutely!!! Our dks know that if we just work a little while together it will free up so much time to do the fun stuff!!:) It is amazing how much really does get done if the tv is off in the evenings and we work as a team to do whatever it is that needs done, we are able to free up so much of our weekend time to do the fun things!!

[CANDY]

I remember being a kid and working with my family on things around the house. My daughter is too young at the moment (1 yr 1/2 old), but I really hope to instill good working habits in her and any future children I have. I really think it makes the family stronger, and keeps kids from growing up to be lazy. :)