Because you are a mom

My kids have this idea that there are some things only I can do, because I'm a mom. They say they can't do those things, because they're not moms. Ok, well there ARE a few things I can do they can't. But I'm not talking about birthing a baby or nursing a child. There are things that I am attempting to train them to do, like clean the toilet, scrub out the tubs, clean a dirty meatloaf pan. First they say they can't do it at all. Then they give a half hearted attempt. When I tell them they need to do better, they say they can't. I tell them I can, if I try really hard.

"That's because you're a mom, and we are only kids."

I reply: "Do you think that when I became a mom, I magically knew how to do all this stuff and did it perfectly? No, I had to learn just like you. I did it over and over again before I could do it really well"

The problem is, my mom didn't teach how to do a lot of these kinds of things, and I when I was out on my own, I had to do them. No chance to learn, I just did it. When I got married, my husband could cook better than me. Thankfully he is a really patient man. I had to learn by doing. I made plenty of mistakes. I wish my mom had spent more time teaching my sister and I how to care for a house. She mostly did it herself.  My sister and I did the things she didn't like to do. I was really good at doing my own laundry. I want to teach my children now how to care for their own possessions and a houseful of things. To cook and clean, to take care of smaller children. I tell them it will be useful when they grow up. Do you know what they reply:

"When I grow up, I will have a maid."

Hah, that's what I told my mom, and that never happened! I had four girls instead.

I also think it's important for them to learn to do somethings that my husband does. Things that would have been helpful for me to know when I was single and living on my own. Simple repairs, car maintenance, how to cut the grass. If I had boys, I would teach them how to cook. I have always been blessed that my husband knows how to cook well. When I was pregnant, sick, traveling, I always knew my children would be well fed.

So my kids don't get away with saying they can't do it and I can, because I'm a mom. I'm going to keep training them.

This started out as a FB post I was thinking of making, but then grew into something bigger, so I decided to make it a blog!