I decided that it's time I taught the kids how to do their own laundry. I remember learning at a young age how to do it, too. It's one of those things that you're reluctant to do because it's just easier for you to do it yourself then have them struggle through learning it, and then you're left with more to clean up anyway. But we're reading a book in my Bible study called "Boundaries with your Kids" and the beginning story caught my attention. It was about a mom who was busy cleaning up her teenage sons room and her friend confronts her and says, "What are you doing?" "Oh, I don't mind," the woman replies. "I'm not talking about you. I'm thinking about his future wife."
Ahhhh, we are preparing them for the future, not the present. If I do everything for my kids, just because it's easier or they don't do it quite the way I would, what am I teaching them? So I told Ethan and Reagan that this was going to be their new responsibilities. If I teach them to do it right then it should be ok, and what a great tool to have in their pockets (and less laundry for me). I took them to Target to get their own hampers, laundry soap and fabric softener. They were very excited. And I'm happy with their enthusiasm and willingness to do more things. I'm Ok with letting go.
Ethan's putting his clothes in the dryer. I taught him how to separate clothes into darks and lights, how much soap to use and how to use the machine. He's pretty proud of himself, and I'm proud of him too.
He can barely get the clothes out of the bottom, but it's just so cute.
Their own little bin of laundry supplies.
Another cute one! :)
This is our new puppy, Jill. Our friends Milo and Rebekah, bred their husky dog, Jack. He is the most mellow mannered dog we've ever seen. He basically cured our kids of being scared of dogs. Well, Jack had his puppies and Nick's always wanted a dog so we went to look at them and fell in love with Jill. My stipulation was that I wanted to take puppy classes so she could be a good, trained dog and that I would know what I was doing. We have our first class tomorrow.
I caught Reagan one day reading in her rocking chair to her teddy bear. It was so cute. It's one of those things that makes your heart happy when you see your kids doing it. Yes, they do model our good behavior as well!
He can barely get the clothes out of the bottom, but it's just so cute.
