My Little Painter
When are kids old enough to be helpful? You parents out there know what I mean. Kids want to be helpful, but that usually means more work for us parents and the chore will take a lot longer to finish. Funny how little kids think chores are fun, but when they get older they hate chores and don’t want to do them. Back to my question, when are kids old enough to be helpful? Is it nine? Eighteen? Never?
I’m bringing this up because we painted the living room last week. As you can imagine, all four of our kids thought painting would be fun and wanted to help paint. Yes, even the little baby. Little Disney can’t talk yet, but he let us know he wanted to help by eyeing the paint roller and then crying every time we picked up the roller.
We decided to let the Little Princess “help” paint, but we said no to the other kids. With Spiderboy and the Little Monkey, there was a 200% probability they would “accidentally” paint each other. We didn’t think the Little Princess would be very helpful, but we wanted to give her the chance to prove us wrong. She didn’t. We had to repaint most of the sections she painted. Oh well. At least she didn’t lose a limb, paint the carpet, or knocked me off the 20′ ladder (note: a 16′ high living room is cool until you have to paint it, then it really sucks — sorta of like holding a baby when he has a diaper blow-out, but one hundred million nine times worst).
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I so get this … the help you get slows you down, causes stress and is bound to result in three to six other tasks now needing your attention. Yet we have to let them help – their wee faces – see pic above – are the reward.
As always you are a rocking daddy :) le
Read le´s recent blog post..One for Blue
It also doesn’t help when you’re painting over a white wall with off-white paint. She couldn’t see she was missing parts of the wall.
What a sweet pic! My 14 and 15 year olds can clean up the kitchen after dinner, but you must allow for a little… creativity in defining “clean.” At least I don’t have to do it some nights. I just say it’s good enough. :]
Read Mrs. C´s recent blog post..The *Best* Curriculum For Reading.
I’ve noticed that when my son is suppose to clean up his room after dinner, he actually ends up playing in his room instead.
YIkes! You’re braver than I am. I do think it’s important to let them help now, because you’re setting a precedent for times in the future when you really willl need their help. However, at your kids ages, when it comes to painting, sometimes the best way to help is to entertain themselves elsewhere. You know; like taking a bucket of paint out to a fence :)
Hey, thanks for taking the time to pop in today and comment on the birthday party post. I really appreciate it, because I know you are crazy busy and have your hands full. Thanks. :)
Read Mrs4444´s recent blog post..Celebrating Mom
I thought it would be good practice for the Little Princess. At some point my wife will want the girls’ room repainted and I don’t really want to paint it again. I’m hoping the Little Princess could do it next time.
To me it really depends on the job itself and the age of the child. Oh, and the child’s personality, too, because if they’re the type of person who starts things but never finishes, then a large project probably wouldn’t be appropriate.
Read Desert Songbird´s recent blog post..Ruby Tuesday #12
That sounds like my daughter. If you leave her alone, she doesn’t want to finish. She can only do chores if you’re around.
I think the idea is to stay ON the ladder. *wink* I always tell myself the goal is to expose them young, then maybe by the time they’re in their 30′s they’ll figure out how to be really helpful. :)
Hugs,
Holly
Read Holly Schwendiman´s recent blog post..Becoming Mom
30′s? You’re killing me. I have a feeling when the kids are in their 30′s, we’ll be taking care of their kids during the day.
Hee hee…..
everything, everywhere has been so serious this week!! thanks for providing some laughs.
Read jenx67´s recent blog post..Conspiracy Theory and Salmon Dinner with a Spokane Indian
Go ahead, laugh at my expense. That’s what my kids do.
I love the shirt!
And B is kinda helpful 5% of the time so I think that’s a progress.
At least Little Princess thought she was helping. Hehe
I like that shirt too, but why is my daughter using it as her paint shirt?
Ha ha! You are so goofy! LOL.
Take it from me, they are NOT HELPFUL until they leave home. Then they actually don’t want to help. pffffffft.
Read Chris H´s recent blog post..BUILT LIKE A BRICK SHITHOUSE…
In your case, their kids move in with you and you have to take care of the grand kids full time.
This is what I have my kids do once before lunch and repeat before dinner.
Chaz (8 yrs)- Make his bed, pick up any garbage on floor in any part of house, feed dog, find any clothes or socks in any part of the rooms and put in dirty hamper.
Ryan (7 yrs)- Wipes kid’s table (after meals though), puts away any books or games that have been left out, straightens living room, makes his bed.
Kyle (5 yrs)- empties small recyle bin into big one in garage, puts away all toys in any room, makes sure toilet paper is stocked in kid’s bathroom, finds any kid’s cups around house (that might’ve been used at night time).
Ivy (3 yrs)- picks up her own toys and puts all kids shoes in shoe bucket.
I just gave those for an example. :) It really helps to have these things repeated twice a day. They have to do these before they can eat so it’s a huge motivator. Hee hee… It saves me from taking care of things that were messes that the kids made. Not me. They are getting better about noticing messes they make because they know they have to fix them. :P
Read Virginia´s recent blog post..Kidney Stones Are Not Nice!
We have the kids pick up the toys after dinner, but they end up playing with them instead.
Did you force her to wear that shirt LOL
Very cute !
Read Danielle´s recent blog post..Sandra Cakes !
I wished she didn’t wear that shirt for painting. I didn’t want her to get paint on it before she could hand the shirt down to her little sister.
I know I should have the kids do more around here, but it takes up too much time, LOL. So much faster to do it myself. It varies from kid to kid when they truly become helpful. My oldest son could handle big jobs, like straightening up a whole room, as a toddler. My middle son will probably not be able to do that same job until he’s an adult, if ever!
Your middle child sounds my Little Monkey. She’ll pick up one or two items, then refuses to pick up anything else.
She knew if she wore that t-shirt she would be able to paint LOL You have to give her brownie points for that “I Love Daddy” tee!
Anywho, happy WW!
Take care!
Ms. Latina