Child Labor Factory
I used to mow the lawn (in League City) when Josh couldn’t get to it. Josh couldn’t get to it a lot. Our yard was much bigger back then. We thought that our children would LOVE to have a huge backyard. We didn’t factor in the Texas heat and humidity. Except for a really great eighth birthday for Sarah that yard went mostly unused, but we still had to mow it.
Now we have a much smaller yard and much bigger children. They are old enough to trust with a mechanical monster with high speed spinning blade (when you say don’t touch that they will listen). I have to give Josh kudos for teaching them while they are young. Sarah actually wanted to mow the lawn when she first learned. Now that she knows it’s not all that, she is happy to teach Zack who doesn’t know and is just as excited as she was to be among the mechanical monster wielders.
I’m happy to leave it. And for those who would judge… I make them do their own laundry, too. Sometimes they get stuck with dish duty, scrubbing floors, washing the cars. Other days, they’re cleaning their own bathroom and sometimes mine, too.
I’m a regular Miss Hannigan.
Posted on July 1st, 2008 by trish
Filed under: Haley Kids, Life
Texas might be hot, but housing is so much more inexpensive. You’re so lucky that way! Housing is soooooo highly priced up here in Utah
I guess that’s true, though… If we ever move to Texas I’ll have to remember… Big house, little yard. We have a big yard up here, but if it was stiffling hot here the kids wouldn’t enjoy it like they do now.
Thanks for the tip.
i love the child labor mentality altho *i* myself was not subjected to many chores as a kid. i did my own laundry and cleaned my bathroom, yes, but for the most part, everything else was handled by mom or the maid. mom always said why should she let me do it when she’s gotta go back and do it again anyway? yes, i got around that chore mess.
but surprisingly, now that i own my own home, i tend to a keep a clean abode, despite not having nutured the cleaning habit at a young age. kudos to you and josh for instilling such values in your kids and having them take part in the chores.
Dear Miss Hannigan,
GREAT idea! Max has no idea what he has comin’! heehee
With not-so-fond memories of making things shine like the top of the Chrysler building,
Annie
Nancy, your house is dang cute. Look forward to giving you tips face-to-face if you ever move out here. Susie and I had a girls’ night out last night. Totally fun.
Lan, you’re a spoiled brat. Housekeeper? Really? Glad you outgrew it, tho.
Juli, my favorite line is “Do I hear singing in here?” I went to see that movie when it came out (with Carol Burnett) with my mom. I was a lot bigger than all the other little girls with their mommies. It’s still one of our favorite movies.
we mowed the lawn growing up. we also had our own day when we had to do the dishes. we also had chores every saturday.
good for you for teaching the kids while they are young!
Hey Tosh! Glad you know how to mow… Susie’s Dad (and then her husband) didn’t ever teach her how. They’re both Texans who think it’s a guy job. Can you believe it? I’m volunteering to teach her someday soon.
Jordan had taken over the lawn. Frank is soooo happy about it. My kids have chores daily. I write them down and they have to do them before we go anywhere. It’s nice and we get things done quicker.
call me crazy, but it looks fun….
super fun girls night by the way, had a blast…