Donno (Wally Ben’s Great Grandma) tells a story that her sister Junie’s daughter’s first words were “What a mess!” because Junie would march from room to room saying that phrase over and over. As a mom of an 18 month old, I believe it. I vacuumed yesterday and somehow the room was destroyed with toys by this morning. I live for those 2-3 minutes post-vacuum, when the floor is spotless—free of dog hair and crumbs and cars and balls and various pieces of kitchen tupperware and lightbulbs (how’d that get there?). Because I am a neat person. I truly am. Some would say bordering on anal retentive (ehem—Wally IV).
But it is impossible to be neat with an 18 month old, especially a destructive, tear it down, rip it apart, chew it to pieces, knock it down boy like mine. Unless I want to clean nonstop, I just have to learn to live in the mess most of the time. (Although I secretly love the end of play time when I get to re-organize the toddler kitchen and I take a certain overjoyed satisfaction as each pan is hung in the appropriate spot, shuffling Wally away, looking back to admire my tidy work with a sigh of relief. Everything is in its place.)
I decided, enough of that. It’s time this kid pull his weight around here. Here you have it:
What is his going rate?
Grady likes to clean too, I see a business venture ahead. 🙂
Love it! Send him over any time….
Your Grandpa May was one of 7 children. Their house was ALWAYS a mess–a total mess but his mother believed in just “taking care of them and feeding them well”. They all grew up to be good people–it’s the love they receive, not the messes they make!!