Chores and developing character

I don't think I needed to be convinced that chores are good for children.  But this little snippit written by Marilyn Rockett really sums it up:

The lessons our children need to master are greater than how to make a bed, vacuum a floor, clean a toilet, or consistently feed a pet.  They need to develop perseverance, stewardship of possessions, cheerful service to others, teamwork, selflessness, completing a  job they start, and working with excellence as unto the Lord. †

To rephrase it, by doing chores our children aren't just learning housekeeping skills.  They're gaining valuable character lessons in:

• perseverance
• stewardship of possessions
• cheerful service to others
• teamwork
• selflessness
• completing a job they start
• working with excellence as unto the Lord

I'll admit, I'm often tempted to just do the household chores myself—not necessarily because I just love doing them, but because I can do them more efficiently, and with a whole lot less complaining! (hah!)  But when I see the benefits of children doing chores "spelled out" in these terms, it helps me make the effort to keep my boys on track with their daily tasks. 

† From "PACE Yourself: Plan, Assign, Change, Execute" by Marilyn Rockett, which appeared in The Paper MACHE magazine, August/September 2014 issue

You can do it, Mom!

I read this li'l bit of encouragement this morning, written by a homeschooling mom regarding teaching handwriting:

"Keep persevering. He (or she) will need those skills. Sometimes the best weapons in a homeschool mom’s arsenal are a thick skin and a persistent attitude!"
-Gretchen Roe

Yes!  I needed to remember that!!! :)  This golden nugget can be applied to any area of homeschooling or parenting!

The Kung-Fu Ninja and the Sword Ninja...

As never seen before...

My son, the animal lover

"Mom! Look!  I found a slug!" he says as he ascends the stairs from the basement.

Great, I think to myself.  What kind of disgusting creature did he find down there now?

I start to reach for a paper towel, when he proudly shows me his prized slug—and it really is a slug—which he is holding in his hands.  Which he found. In. Our. Basement.  Gross.

So I made him suggested that he put it into a container... and then wash his hands.

He adores the darn thing!  "I'm going to call him Slimy!" he says.  Yuck.

User error

I learned something important about sunblock today.  When it says on the back of the bottle that you should reapply it every 2 hours, they aren't just being over-precautious. 

I think they really meant it.  Looks like Mom won't be hanging out at the pool for a few days. :(

Look who lost a tooth!

Ta-da!  Finally Ryan lost his first tooth.  (Note that the permanent tooth is already right there behind it!)  It has been wiggly for so long, I finally convinced him to let me pull it out for him.  (I had to use a scrap of paper towel to grasp the slippery little thing!)  He is quite pleased with this new milestone. :)

Mothers Day

I thought this was really appropriate!

(From the Home School Legal Defense Association)