Chore-less Peace

My toddlers don't have chores.

Do I think chores are a bad thing? Absolutely not. 

So why don't my kids have them?

Because they do "chores" without knowing it. 

They have no idea that doing dishes is a chore. 

They don't understand that helping me fold laundry is a chore. 

They have no clue that throwing their trash away, picking up their toys, or wiping up their messes are chores. 

To them, it's just how it is. 

"It just happens," as my three year old would say. 

I think chore charts are genius. And I will probably use them later. But, for now, I'm just letting them "help" me. They can't read and a chore chart would be just one more thing to keep up. 

We give praise for listening and obeying if I ask them to do something, but they don't get rewards for helping out. Am I grateful? You bet! This mama doesn't care if if takes 7 hours to fold laundry if one day it takes 7 minutes. 

Why no rewards?

Life. 

Teaching our kids to do things to help out is important. But teaching them to help and not expect anything in return is vital. We live in a take take world. I want my kiddos to go against the grain and give give give. 

They'll be given a chance to earn wages in our home later in life. But for now, we're going to try and establish a helpful attitude. 

I want to teach hard work and appreciation. After those foundations are established, we may branch into chore charts. For now, we're going to focus on helping without receiving reward. Giving without expecting. And doing without the weight of chores. 

I am, by no means, an expert in parenting but this is the way we would like to do things for now. One thing I have learned is that our parenting is constantly evolving and adapting as our kids grow and change. Our family is very different from others and I try to remember that as I hear various parenting advice. 

I encourage you all to embrace the uniqueness of your families. I also encourage you to instill a giving attitude in your kids as I try to do the same for mine. Our world can always use a little more generosity. A little more kindness. And a little more peace. 

Wishing everyone out there Chore or Chore-less Peace and...HAIR PEACE!!