And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair. ~ Kahlil Gibran



Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Dearest Big Sprout



My Dearest, Most Beloved Big Sprout,

Get over yourself. Seriously. You really, truly, have very few chores that are expected of you. So do them. Without the heavy sighs, the eye-rolling, and the tears. Life is full of situations where we have to do things that we would really prefer not to. You had better learn now that it takes a lot less energy and time to just do the things that need to be done without all the fussing.

Honestly. Do you think that I enjoy going without sleep for days on end so that I can work, cook, clean, and take care of you and Little Sprout? Do you think I jump for joy every time I find yet another pile of laundry to be done? Do you think that every day I come home from work and think to myself "oh, joy! I am so glad to have one more opportunity to pick up after the Sprouts, change diapers, and wash dishes!" ?!

Get real. I ask you to take care of your room, Mighty Cat, and a few (very few) special chores around the house seasonally. All it does when you throw fits like this is make me mad. When I get mad, I start looking for more chores for you to do. You are a very smart little girl, so I am hoping that you can figure out quickly that this little attitude of yours is going nowhere.....fast.

Cuz if you don't shape up soon, you will be scrubbing toilets.

With your toothbrush.

Not so many years ago, you would have been working much harder than this at a much younger age. You would have been out there weeding with me every day instead of just helping yourself to ripe 'maters whenever you want. You would be sweeping and dusting the whole house. You would be helping with hauling wood. You wouldn't have your precious Wii and computer to fill your hours. Fun would be the games you could play with what few toys you had and your imagination.

And this idea you have that you need to get paid for every chore you do around the house? Umm, yeah. You had better drop that right now. I don't get paid for any of the crap I do for you or this house with anything other than the satisfaction of having a neat and tidy house and well cared for children. When I start drawing a paycheck for house work, you can start demanding $$. Until then, button your lip.

Be grateful for what you have, and check the attitude at the door.

Your loving Mother,

BG

5 comments:

Lisa said...

ROTFLOL!! Oh, and when she grows up and has children... payback is a real bitch!!

Anonymous said...

ExTREMEly well said, BG!! Fantastic. Me? I'm ROFLMAO. And I agree, grandchildren provide numerous opportunities for paybacks so try to be patient. in the meantime, hurray for you!

jenny said...

Hear hear!! I tip my hat off to you, barefoot! :o)

Wendy said...

My kids haul wood in the house, and they help stack it outside, too. I tell them, if they want to be warm, they need to help out, because I can't do it all ;).

But I'm thinking about that toothbrush thing for the next time one of them wants to complain ... :).

RuthieJ said...

Good for you Barefoot. Stick to your guns.....someday Big Sprout will realize you WERE right (it will probably take a few years, but she'll figure it out!)