Putting kids to work

Written by Jen Monday, 14 July 2008 00:00

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The to-do list woke me at 5:30 a.m. today. After hashing over each item for way too long, I came up with five options. I dare to say they're universal solutions to most household problems we mothers face.

1) Hire someone

2) Do it myself

3) Get a second husband

4) Find a wife

5) Coerce the kids to rise to the challenge

I quickly dismissed #1 as too expensive given the scope of the list. #2? Been there, done that and while a great way to get things done right, it's not gonna happen this time. #3 is, well, illegal. Plus, the one I have now is pretty cool except he only has so much time in the day to do way too much. #4 would definitely solve the problem but is out of the question.

This leaves #5, absolutely the most difficult option but one I have to face. They live here, after all. Yet the amount of sheer labor involved in these tasks-which range from trimming trees and washing windows to hanging blinds and painting the bathroom-will prove to be problematic.

When the kids were younger, I'd supervise every task as they mastered the basics of taking out the garbage and dusting. I'm sure you moms can identify with this. So, yes, those simple chores took hours as I corrected, demonstrated, corrected, demonstrated ad infinitum.

Now that they're less-than-energetic teens, just the thought of supervising these more demanding tasks is daunting. Yet leaving any of them alone with a hedge clipper or a paintbrush would be frightening if not criminal.

However, because the previously mentioned husband was not too keen on being reminded of the to-do list at 5:30 a.m., nor did he enthusiastically offer any solution to my dilemma, I have no choice.

The offspring are awake, breathing and present if not eager so off we go.

Just in case the list is longer by day's end, I have the yellow pages handy.