When my niece Sadie came up to visit last weekend she was obsessed about raising money for this school project in which her class was going to make a donation to some place in Africa so that they could build a well and have fresh water. At first I thought she said a whale and I couldn't figure out how a whale could survive on fresh water in Africa, even with the most generous donations.
Rather than the usual route of selling candles and tin cans of popcorn, the kids are supposed to earn the money through performing chores, so Sadie was anxious to get back to my place and clean. In fact, she was so exited that she followed me into the bathroom when we got back, asking me for assignments.
So first I asked her to water the plants. I had to show her where the watering can was and she asked her dad to fill it with water and then I had to show her where all the plants were.
It took her less than a minute to water them.
Sadie: What else can I do?
Me: You're done already?
Sadie: Yes.
Me: Did you get the plants on the other wall? (My brother points out the wall.)
Sadie: Of course! Now what can I do? (I make a mental note to water the plants tomorrow.)
Me: Why don't you put these magazines in the recycling bin? (I show her where the bags are and her dad shows her where the recycling bin is.)
Me: You forgot a magazine.
Sadie: I'll just stick it back in the magazine rack.
Me: That's not really helping me.
Sadie: I'm afraid to go in the garage. It's dark and scary. (I walk with her to the garage and turn on the light.)
Sadie: Now what can I do?
By this point I realize that whatever task I give her is going to mean work for me so I'm reluctant to give her any more assignments.
Sadie: I can cook you something.
Me: What can you make?
Sadie: I can get you a bowl of cereal.
Me: That's ok. I'm not hungry.
Sadie: I can vacuum.
The rug does need to be vacuumed. But then I envision having to get the vacuum out, move the furniture, show her how to turn the vacuum on, help her push it, and then put everything back in its original place. I'm too tired to vacuum so I hand her the Swiffer instead.
Sadie: What else can I do?
Me: You're done already?
Sadie: Yes.
Me: Did you get the plants on the other wall? (My brother points out the wall.)
Sadie: Of course! Now what can I do? (I make a mental note to water the plants tomorrow.)
Me: Why don't you put these magazines in the recycling bin? (I show her where the bags are and her dad shows her where the recycling bin is.)
Me: You forgot a magazine.
Sadie: I'll just stick it back in the magazine rack.
Me: That's not really helping me.
Sadie: I'm afraid to go in the garage. It's dark and scary. (I walk with her to the garage and turn on the light.)
Sadie: Now what can I do?
By this point I realize that whatever task I give her is going to mean work for me so I'm reluctant to give her any more assignments.
Sadie: I can cook you something.
Me: What can you make?
Sadie: I can get you a bowl of cereal.
Me: That's ok. I'm not hungry.
Sadie: I can vacuum.
The rug does need to be vacuumed. But then I envision having to get the vacuum out, move the furniture, show her how to turn the vacuum on, help her push it, and then put everything back in its original place. I'm too tired to vacuum so I hand her the Swiffer instead.
It takes her a minute to do my entire place.
Me: Are you sure you got every room?
Sadie: Yes.
Me: What about this room, and this room?
Sadie: Of course!
I'm not convinced she actually cleaned anything so she sweeps the living room again. She takes her time and does a better job.
Me: You seem to be enjoying yourself.
Sadie: Well I have to raise money for the poor! Is there anything else I can do? This is fun.
By now I'm tired of cleaning so I give her the $5 and commend her for her noble goal. She runs to her dad and excitedly gives him the bill for safe keeping. He is on Skype with his wife so Sadie tells her mom that she just raised money for building a well in Africa so that they can have fresh water.
I enjoyed being a part of her first lesson in being helpful to people in need and admired how she really took it to heart. It was definitely entertaining, as well as good exercise. And the memory of the housekeeping incident will keep me entertained until I see her again. All for the bargain price of $5.
Me: Are you sure you got every room?
Sadie: Yes.
Me: What about this room, and this room?
Sadie: Of course!
I'm not convinced she actually cleaned anything so she sweeps the living room again. She takes her time and does a better job.
Me: You seem to be enjoying yourself.
Sadie: Well I have to raise money for the poor! Is there anything else I can do? This is fun.
By now I'm tired of cleaning so I give her the $5 and commend her for her noble goal. She runs to her dad and excitedly gives him the bill for safe keeping. He is on Skype with his wife so Sadie tells her mom that she just raised money for building a well in Africa so that they can have fresh water.
I enjoyed being a part of her first lesson in being helpful to people in need and admired how she really took it to heart. It was definitely entertaining, as well as good exercise. And the memory of the housekeeping incident will keep me entertained until I see her again. All for the bargain price of $5.
1 comment:
How funny! It usually does require so much extra effort on our part to make them feel useful, but what wonders it does for their confidence. Sadie can't wait to visit again!
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