Abolish Boredom: Chores, Reading & Imagination Part I

I've recently been noticing something I really appreciate about my children. Now, to be clear, this is not necessarily something that we've thoughtfully set out as a plan to establish in our children, it's just sort of happened due to a variety of reasons, parenting style fitting somewhere into the list, I'm sure. :-)

This thing that I speak of is simply a lack of boredom, which includes the ability to be entertained with the smallest of things and a constant use of the imagination as entertainment.

Now, I am not touting myself as an expert here, however, since I've taken an active interest in noticing and appreciating this about my own kids, I've been noting down some of the things they do/we do. This awareness has coincided with a few conversations about boredom and the results that it has on society as a whole, and I've found it to be a very interesting subject. Therefore I share.


MY HISTORY AND SOMEWHAT WORDY HYPOTHESIS:
Mostly due to laziness I'm afraid, I tend to let my children play how they will. However, I do believe this leads to a wider variety of imaginative play possibilities as well as problem solving skills. Also, if there is more than one child playing it can lead to learning compromise and teamwork. The best example I can think of comes from a blog post I read a long long time ago, when my children were infants. One set of parents bought their kids a table and a train set, and promptly nailed, screwed and glued the whole train set to the table, leaving no room for the kids to recreate different tracks, different towns, and different playing scenarios as time went by. (I'll admit, this makes me scream in horror in my head a little bit every time I think of it, haha! How incredibly boring would that be!?) The other set of parents bought their kids the exact same table and train set and a basket for storage, and let them do whatever they want with it.

NOW: Most likely there are people reading this post who can nod and agree vehemently with either set of parents. And, I certainly wouldn't want to insult anyone who would have an opposite opinion than me. :-) I do believe that people can raise imaginative, problem solving, teamwork oriented children even when they glue their train sets to tables. My only point in this example was to show two extreme opposites in one area to support my hypothesis that is simply this:

Children who can entertain themselves with imaginative, cooperative play without the constant need of an adult input grow up to be adults who can think outside the box, problem solve, enjoy learning and therefore continue the learning process throughout their life.

I'm going to do just a few posts on this subject, just for fun, and I'd love your thoughts in return. Starting with chores, and a list of things that are once a week, maybe once a month helpful around the house items, I thought I'd just highlight a few things we do around here to encourage HAPPY, JOYFUL, CONTENT children who can entertain themselves, problem solve, contribute to our home and eventually society, and appreciate all they have and are. How's that for ambitious?!

The whining, pathetic, most evil, obnoxious sentence ever uttered in the history of mankind,

"I'MMMM BOOOORRRED!"

It is NO EXAGGERATION when I say that this sentence literally makes me spit nails.

I'm sorry, you're BORED?!?!?! I've got more chores and projects here than I could get done in a year, and you with a roomful of toys, an imagination, and no responsibilities past taking another breath, and you've got the nerve to complain that you're BORED?! My children have very quickly learned that the quickest way to make me mad is to say "I'm bored." They don't say it very often anymore. When they say "I'm bored", they get at least three adult chores to do faster than greased lightening.



I believe that a constant workload of a variety of chores really gets neglected by parents, because it's so much easier and faster to do it ourselves. I know I'm guilty of this, big time. But, children are SO much happier when they are contributing to the household. They may whine some, but the fact is, they know what's expected of them, and they are proud of their accomplishments when they are done. This is a very healthy thing. It also shows that you "need" them, and trust them to accomplish things, and are proud of them when they are done. One thing I would say as guidance is to NEVER expect them to know how to do something that you haven't taught them to do. I've found that teaching my kids one-on-one makes for a much better learning experience... it just makes it a little more special, and they really enjoy it more that way. Also, making sure that Daddy (or Mommy) "notices" and praises when they get home from work for the day can really give a kid a good boost.


Some chores that I've found my kids are capable of doing (currently ages 5 and 6, but we've been working with them on all of these for at least 2 years):


*** Empty dishwasher: Start by having them put the silverware away. This is really easy for a little kid... and they LOVE it. I've found that kids are naturally appreciative of anything that requires sorting or pattern making. Next graduate to putting the dishes away. Even if at first they just stack them on the counter for you to put away, then slowly graduate to putting them away themselves, they're still learning and doing something for you. And, let's face it. You don't put anything too valuable or fragile in the dishwasher anyway, right? I used to just remove my heavy 9X13's and other breakable items first, and then call the kids in to unload the rest. So far, I have broken more dishes than my kids have unloading the dishwasher.


*** Put laundry away: I fold all our laundry into stacks by drawer or cupboard, and then the kids put it away. This helps me out SO much, because that is my least favorite thing to do in the laundry process. Turn on some music and make a race out of it... they'll love it! Keep track of who puts the most away (check neatness--things that are put away poorly don't get points!!) with bellowing sports anchor voices and a huge point spread (50 points per item is better than one point, any day!), and they'll love it. You might have to re-fold a few stacks along the way, but that's ok. Kids are also really good at collecting laundry items from around the house to wash, and sorting laundry, and best of all, putting the soap in and STARTING the washer and dryer.


***Wipe down bathroom counters, etc.: This only makes sense. They're the ones that send toothpaste shrapnel flying everywhere... why shouldn't they be the ones to clean it up? I don't currently have my kids clean the toilet, but with a few rags, a spray bottle of vinegar or other non-toxic cleaning spray, they can whip the general looks of a bathroom into shape in no time.


*** Dust: Obviously, this is not an appropriate age for them to be dusting Great Grandma's Antique Meissen Figurines that she snuck to America under Nazi soldier's noses. However, there is usually a few areas in the house that can be dusted by a child. And, that leaves less for you to do.


*** Floors: I have two children who LOVE to damp mop. I'm working on teaching them proper sweeping... then I will never clean floors again. :-) A damp washcloth, a dusty floor and my girls will pretend to be Cinderella for hours on end also. Two birds and one stone, my friends. Clean floor and imaginative play. (Just don't give them a bucket of water or you'll have water flung hither and yon like one idiotic princess Cindy, GRRR! Walt Disney.)


*** Have one child help you prepare, flamboyantly-serve-diner-style, and clean up after lunch: They will beg to help you. ORDER UP!


*** Clearing the table: This is your standard child chore, is it not? Condiments back in the fridge, dishes by the sink. You can also have them eyeball the leftovers, and figure out an appropriate storage container, scoop the food up, and put it where it belongs.


***Changing the oil on the car: I'm pretty sure Debris will be able to do this somewhat by herself in the next couple years. She loves this chore. They may not be able to do every step of the process, but they can fetch things, hand things, and generally hang out and learn with dad (most of the time, anyway). Debris prize at the end of this chore is to "test drive" the car around the block. She looks forward to it every time.

Some of these things are regular chores for my kids. Some of them are not. As time goes by, they will become more regular.

What do you have your children do?!


(And, stay tuned for my thoughts on creative thinking and reading, next.)