Anyone who says a 5 year can't load a dishwasher is a FOOL.

I've declared this "The Summer of Indentured Servitude". This came about approximately 5 hours into the summer vacation when I realized the house was getting trashed faster than I could clean it, yet everyone was too tired, too short, too weak, too young, too hungry, too thirsty, or too busy to help out, but they still wanted to go do fun things everyday. So, I rather calmly (or not) explained that unless everyone started pitching in, they'd be banished to the 105 degree, 95% humidified backyard for the remainder of the summer. And lo, the servants worked. In exchange for swimming, trips to the museum, zoo, splash park, and Target, they must make their beds and clean up their room. In exchange for vacations to Sea World, Austin, and floating the Frio, they have to clean the kitchen. One of them even thinks it's fun to wipe the countertops! (The angels weep and rejoice with me). The other one likes using the attachments on the vacuum, so I have given her permission to use them whenever. she. wants. In exchange for homemade ice cream, coke slurpees, and snow cones, they must fold some of their laundry and put it all up in the correct drawers.

AND MY LANDS, IT'S WORKING!! But this pretty much sums up the general consensus on having to hold up their end of the bargain:

    

Comments

[Auntie S]

GENIUS! I can see you sitting in the deck chair reading dirty books and eating bon bons while ALL the chores on Eggleston Lane are being miraculously wisked away!

[mimi]

If they will/can do all that, I say, "Pout away, dearest grandchild, pout away!" Great lessons being learned!!!

[Mindy]

Thank you for some suggestions that I will have to begin using!!! A certain someone in our house seems to think she is entitled to do what she wants and when she wants.