Well now that I'm back to work, I've started assigning extra chores to the spoiled teenagers. This is a conversation with my 18 year old son.
Me: "I'd like you to vacuum the house tomorrow please."
Son: "I can't. I'm mowing the lawn tomorrow."
Um, what? Did I somehow teach my kids that we only do one thing a day? Where did I go wrong? I have for some time now, been not complaining about the dishes being washed really horribly. Honestly, I'm just happy they wash them at all. They don't seem to understand how to load and unload the dishwasher though. If I see dishes on the counter, they say, "the dishwasher is full," and just sort of shrug as if to say, "what can I do?" It's sad to see them in such a powerless state.
Another example of my clueless behavior is when I ask them to take down their dirty laundry to the basement and the answer is usually "you mean right now?" No, next Tuesday Einstein. Why am I doing your laundry anyway. They do manage to do their laundry sometimes which I discover days later cold and wrinkled and the dryer. Makes no difference to me though. My clothes look fine.
I appreciate the extra assistance though, I'm just trying to figure out why I am the only one that takes the garbage out. I remember living in an apartment and when bag was full, I took out to the garbage chute where it magically went to garbage heaven. Love that. The good old days when I didn't have separate organic, recycling and ordinary waste. Who knew taking care of the environment would be so gross and smelly?
The goal this week? Convincing one of the kids to make dinner. I can't wait. Hot dogs are fine, as long as I don't have to make it. I remember when I used to pat myself on the back for not spoiling my kids. Who was I kidding?
If you are ever succesful at teaching them how to refil the toilet paper dispensor I pray you offer help.. :)
ReplyDeleteHere's the way I see it. My kids are happy, healthy, getting good grades and have jobs. Their not in trouble, not in jail and not covered in piercings and tattoos. They help out very little but they help out. I was on my own when I was 16 and I want them to enjoy their teens and make memories. Besides I've got nothing better to do anyways.
ReplyDeleteMark
Growing up in a single parent household I was doing my own laundry and even paying rent at 14. I moved out at 16 and the two years I had of paying rent and pitching in prepared me for "the real world".
ReplyDeleteI can see how spoiling kids can "sneak up" on you, but remember, they still have it good, even with chores. We don't have a dish washer... well my wife says we do, but she calls it Gabriel.
Want to see them appreciate their workload? Tell them the dish washer is broken for a couple weeks, and make them go to the Laundromat for a month. They will feel blessed to do dishes and deliver laundry by the time machines get magically fixed ;-)