AuburnChick's Adventures

…I thought I should balance out my previous post about Chicky with some good things she does.

Granted, disrespect is NEVER acceptable.  I know that, and you know that.

However, it’s fair to say that I expect my children to do quite a few things around the house.

I think you’ve seen my chore list before.  I’m feeling a bit too lazy to hunt for the jpg.  A few years ago, I created a spreadsheet of the chores they are expected to complete each week.  We don’t really use it any more, but it serves as a guide for them.  I also threaten to print it out when things aren’t done in a timely manner.

One of the neatest things that Chicky does, and it’s been all of her own volition, is the “big” grocery shopping trip every two weeks.  As soon as the Mr. gets paid, she creates a list of meals for the next two weeks.  Then, she writes out a grocery list of all items needed.  She knows she needs to take my car because it has more room in the back.  Sometimes Rooster will go with her.

I can only imagine the whispers that must follow them down each aisle. They’ve shared stories with me.

You probably won’t believe this, but Chicky and Rooster did the shopping for Thanksgiving weekend.

Yes, you read that right.

What mom would, in her right mind, allow her teenagers to do such important shopping?  Call it laziness, call it picking your battles.  Either way, they asked, and I said, “Why not.”

Chicky said that as they shopped for generic items, except for certain items like ketchup and spaghetti sauce (we like the brand names), they progressed at a rapid speed.  As they debated about vinegar and cooking wine, a nice lady stepped in to explain the difference.

Chicky says that she always gets funny looks as she navigates her very full buggy to the cash register.  She’s 5’1″…a tiny thing who doesn’t look her age.  She’s had people ask her where her mom is.  You know they are wondering how she’s going to pay for the food.  That’s when she whips out my debit card and slides it through the keypad like a seasoned pro.

Mama has taught her well.

Chicky regularly cooks dinner…often preferring her own cooking to mine.  Rooster has started assisting her.

Both kids launder their own clothes, although I am willing to throw their’s in when I have a small load.  They have learned how to hang their clothes to dry and have even stopped complaining about it.

They scoop dog poop, sweep the house, vacuum, and wash dishes (no using the dishwasher here!).  They are also expected to keep their rooms and bathroom clean.

Oh yeah…no easy life for them.  And no allowance for them either.  They gave up their allowances when we went to unlimited texting.  Besides that, I do not believe that children should be paid to do the work that needs to be done, and that they are capable of doing.  They will, hopefully, be in the habit of taking care of a home when they’re on their own one day.

They participate in youth group activities (both regularly teach the middle school kids on Wednesday nights), maintain good grades (Rooster has a 4.0, and Chicky has around a 3.2), in addition to other after-school activities.  Chicky also babysits two or three afternoons a week.  Not to mention her soccer…

I really do have wonderful children.  I just think that they take things for granted.  Perhaps less so since I lost my cushy job, but still, the fact that I’ve always worked my schedule around them…

Hmmm…I sure didn’t mean this to be a bragging post.  I think it’s always good to take a balanced look…the good and the ugly…to be a better parent that will, hopefully, turn into a friend when the kids are grown.

Filed under: children |