helping hands

Monday mornings are my busiest around the house.

Dishes and laundry are calling my name. The beds aren't made yet. Drake has inevitably spilled cereal on the livingroom floor. I am a woman on a mission; coffee in hand.

This morning, Drake was feeling especially helpful. "I help you Momma, I help." Any parent can tell you that supervising a two-year old doing housework is not exactly expeditious. I found myself trying to distract him with crayons and fresh paper.

What am I teaching him in this moment??? nothing.

I feel bad. Drake's desire to help clean is good. I want him to know how to do laundry and be tidy. I want him to embrace hard work, and feel pride in his accomplishments.

Why am I in such a hurry?

Drake is exceptional at putting things in bins. Truly, you should see it *grin*

I pulled the hampers out of the bedroom and had him unload the dryer by sticking the clothes on my bed. He hung them on the bedposts because "thatsa where they go Mom."

I pulled the wet clothes out of the washer and he loaded them in the dryer, piece-by-piece. I pulled his clothes out of the dirty hamper and he threw in his own clothes into the washer. He kept telling me that I was "doing great" as I assisted him. It makes me feel good that he hears enough encouragement to know when to bestow it upon others.

Sure it took 10 times longer than if I had done it myself... but it was worth it. Drake looked proud of himself when he shut the door on the dryer and I turned it on. I even got a high-five... the ultimate of all toddler accolades.

I am proud of my little guy