Hubby took full advantage of the nice weather we were having and did a bit of yardwork. He raked the leaves, picked up the fallen branches off the trees, and cut down the remaining plants.
My daughter came over to visit with our grandson. Troy immediately found his little rake and started raking the leaves with his Opa. Troy is five years old and loves being outside. He has helped us with the yardwork since he began to walk.
Starting children out early with chores makes doing chores fun. Working outdoors is healthy and invigorating.
[question posted by ElusiveButterfly]
responses and comments:
That is adorable! You're right, the earlier you get kids started to chores like that, the better. Especially at that age, kids *love* to help out (from what I've noticed) and will probably be wanting to help even if you don't ask. It is really a cute mental image picturing your grandson out there raking the leaves and helping out! Aw. ^_^ [shywolf]
Yeah when I was a kid raking leaves was fun. And I shoveled snow all the time! Now it seems a little more like a chore, but once I get out there I tend to enjoy the exercise and feel good about it. [vivasuzi]
I couldn't agree with you more. My dad always tried to make a game out of it so my brother and I always loved to help him out. Much more important than getting the yardwork done, we also got to spend quality time with our dad and THAT is priceless! [DoubleB66]
why do u think like that [harivinod]
YES THAT IS TRUE GREA888 KNOWLEDGE BASED ARTICLE [delhirockz]
It's nice how they want to help when that are little. But for some reason, when they get older, that is the real chore to get them to help when they really would put an impact into the work being done. And by then...we are also older, so then their help really is needed and wanted! ha ha I remember a couple of year ago one of my son's would complain that I would not let him mow. But now that he is older, when I ask him to mow, it is as if I have to nearly twist his arm. (Not literally) I sure hope that they will truly help later when I really am to old to be doing it myself! ha ha But for now, I like the fact that the little ones like to help but it is ironic that the bigger ones run away. ha ha [brokentia]
Even though they reach an age when they dont want to help, they take the skills that you have taught them into adult life and do begin to use them again. I know my daughter is now teaching her toddlers to work using the same methods that we used and then adding some new techniques also. [villageanne]
I think that is nice that the children are willing and want to help out with with yardwork and chores. This is very good for their well being and becoming mature adults when they get older. I used to help my parents with yardwork as well when I was little and still do when I go visit them. It can be more enjoyable when you have others helping you out. The children are learning to be very responsible which is great. [kgwat70]
When my husband does yard work and our grandsons are here they love helping. They are still young so I hope it stays that way. [riskey58]
how many grandsons u have? [harivinod]
I agree. Children should help out with the yard work. When I was a kid, my brother and I would rake leaves into a big huge pile, then jump in when we were done. That was so much fun, we loved doing it. We now have a tractor to mow our lawn, and my 12 year old daughter loves riding it, so now I let her mow the lawn. She is having fun and helping out at the same time. [pebbles724]
My father used to pay my neices and nephews to pick up brush in the yard they loved it also .It is a good way for them to learn to get money work it also had them out excercing not in the house . [shelonewolf1969]
I agree, we have included our children in all our chores as soon as they could do any part. I now know when I need something done and I can't quite get to it I can send them out and know it will be handled. Oh for the days when they would fight over who would get to help me. Those were the days!!lol [Willowlady]
The weather hear is to cold for yard work right now.But when it gets warmer, i aslo like to do yard work,i rather be outside then doing housecleaning.My granddaughter loves working outside with me to. She just told me the other day,dont forget when it gets time to plant flowers i want to help you.She even enjoys watering my plants. [babystar1]
I agree with you. My children used to work in the yard and the garden with us all the time..they used to be so proud of what they were doing, and just loved it.Sooner the work gets done the faster the Baseball can start. They still do. Every year I would let them pick the vegetables they wanted and we planted them together..it got them more involved and they were learning a lot without even realizing it!...lol [samsonskola]
it's alright for them to engage in yardworks so thet in early stage they will be able to cope with chores they will be indulging with as they grow up. Also this will help them develop their sense of helping others and cooperation as well. [chel_0525]
I started doing "chores" at an early age. It began when I was six or seven. My aunt, who is only 8 years older than I, was living with us because the town where she lived didn't have a high school. One of her chores was to wash the dishes after supper. She got out of doing them by promising my brother, who is older, and I 10cents if we washed them. She was working part-time at a grocery store (they weren't called supermarkets in those days) so she could afford it. To this day I don't think we ever paid us one red cent....she says she did. However, when I was just a little older I started earning an allowance by helping my mother with the housework and, after my aunt left, doing the dishes. These chores lasted thru highschool. Of course, I hated every minute of it but was always eager to get some spending money for candy and ice cream in the beginning and then later for various sundry items I wanted. I wasn't forced to do it but if I didn't there was no spending money. My mother could always use taking away my allowance if I didn't tow the line. Cudda choked her at the time but I think it served me well thru the years. [gifana]
I agree that started children off with chores at a young age is beneficial. They take up responsibility and hardwork. It is also very fun when you get to work and play together. It shows them that not all chores have to be boring. Its adorable that your grandson is so involved in what you and your husband do. My daughter and son are the same way. They want to be where my husband and i are at all the time. My daughter will grab the broom and dust pan and start sweeping the floor. She is barely going to be two tomorrow and i feel she is already very smart. God bless! [Smithfamily]
The story is nice as hard working is depicted in it, and for no reward just personal cleaning, ues its good to engange children in yard work as it is like fun for them, they wo'nt think off it as some load on them :) [usman400]
"Teach them young" that is my thoughts on it. We always had our kids helping in the chores from toddler on up also. We would even let them help plant the garden. We would cut a stick the length that we needed to put the seed in the ground. The kids laid a seed down in the row, put the stick next to the seed then laid another seed at the end of that seed. It was a slow process, we could plant many rows while they only planted a few feet. One day we had finished our rows adn began to help them with theirs. They yelled "No, I want to do it myself". Now you must understand, we are big time gardeners. We plant a pound of corn, beans, peas at on planting. From that time on, we make a special row (much shorter) just for their planting. My kid plays a Authentic Acoustic Guitar so if he works he gets more stuff related to that. These are wonderful memories. Thanks for bringing them back to my mind. My daughters are raised and married now. [villageanne]
Well I absolutely agree with you that making work fun is the best thing to do. Child psychology is that when ever you try to dictate to them what to do and what not to do the little rebellion inside them comes to the front and you have a conflict. It is really healthy for children to participate in out door activities specially considering that in our present time out door activities have really been restricted for children as children are more into using computers and gaming consoles instead of playing outside the house and getting a physical workout. Making them enjoy daily chores from an early age is an excellent idea. And there is no better way to do it yourself infront of them since they would naturally want to do the stuff them selves as well since children always want to do what ever elders are upto. Thanks for sharing your ideas and experiences [umerasif]
Totally agree with you kids don't get outside hardly enough and if they are doing some form of exercise at the same time then great! It also teaches them to help out around the house, if their were more people like you we would have a better generation growing up now. [dangermouse]
i agree with you too. it healthy and show them responsibilites. that what kids needs these days is responisiblities. [cisco1]
I really agree with you. This instills a sense of responsibility in a child and they should be encouraged to participate in these types of activities. [ashiflett]
It is also a time to make your family even closer to one another and helping each other by engaging them into family outdoor work and some kinds of activities. I remember when I was a kid we were very happy to help in cleaning our backyard. We really enjoy it as we are having a picnic. [neon2000]
My grand children live in Germany with my son and his wife. We miss being with them frequently to watch them grow but I guess my son is an international citizen. He lives in Germany full time. When you used the word Opa it reminds me that is what my grandchildren call me and my wife Oma. The German words for grandma and grandpa. I think it good to engage children in chores especially if they work along side of adults not just "assigning them chores to do on their own". This is especially important when they are little so they get in the habit of it. Later they can have chores that they are responsible for on their own. Good discussion. Bill aka simplytraffic [simplytraffic]
its very true , children should be engaged early in work , otherwise they will not get the habit of doing things that are very important in there life [sandyamity]
its always good to keep the kids involved in the household chores and specially in things like gardening cos it gets them closer to nature and its even considered more healthier. [rms2727]
That is great that he loves to help. You will be so lucky and so will his mom if he continues to do so as he gets older. :) [tammytwo]
ya the more excercise the more healthy u are [harivinod]
well it depends upon the interst of the children and its a good thing to know that there is some one who is helping you even if its just a small kid [schummi]
that is really cute... yes, small kids like to help a lot whenever they see adults doing something... it is very important to engage them since they are young because that is when their brains can absorb the things that we teach them the most and they will keep it until they are adults... that will be a priceless skills and experiences that they gain... [lingli_78]
Yes its adorable children should be habbitual of doing outdoor work since early age. [humaaaa]
Children should really be encourage to engage themselves in yardwork or garage. Mowing and gardening are some examples of work that your children or grandchildren can perform especially during the summertime. This is a way of instilling the character of being responsible on the young. Also physical activity can make their body stronger and more adaptable. [ernst111]
Yes, that is quite nice. Have you noticed that kids become more active and want to help out more if you kepp involving them? Not just like an insentive. Also, it provides nice exercise for the kids and promotes fitness. Here in Australia there are a lot of advertisements on TV regarding and alerting children that they should 'go for their life' and promoting exercise and healthy eating. This has come from Australians being right up there in the subject of child obesity. Hopefully, children learn that helping out their parents is not always a chore; it can be fun at some times! [engineous]
I agree with you. [margieanneart]
My kids love to help with yardwork. They think it is fun. I wish I thought it was fun...LOL! But yes starting them out early with chores is the best. We've noticed having them help us with the chores inside gets them to help more too. My soon to be 4 year old LOVES to sit and watch me make dinner. She was at my mom's the other day and she was making meatloaf and my daughter ran to get an onion, peppers, seasonings and asked where the "crumbs" (bread crumbs) were all because she watches me make dinner every night. [mom2chriskel]
when i was a kid i was also engaged in yard work now it has been so much beneficial to me now we all can keep our environments clean and i will also teach my kids to do so. [chimex4real2k2]
My two children both love to help out with all the yardwork outside. They have their own childsized yard tools and they love it. It is a good way to keep them outdoors and away from the television on a beautiful day. [naya622]
engaging chilfdren i n yardwork is great since it will increase both their physical and mental health and happiness and having good weather also helps to get a good tan .u can have a better yard andchildren develop good team skills and cooperative work [athul555]
I was raised working from a very early age. Now, I will not go to the extremes that my parents did, nor would they choose it all over again had they had the choice. We were very poor and my father opened his own business cutting fire wood and trimming trees, which meant that he had four perfectly good workers (his children) to work hard and "earn thier keep". HE however didn't have much of a choice, as we were very poor and barely made enough to eat most days. But, having said that, I can tell you that I appreciate all I have been through and know it has helped me in the long run. Yard work is easy just put on the iPod Radios and start to work. My 2 year old already helps out with the house and will do more as he gets older.. but he will not have to work 12 hours a day in the cold winter days in Michigan. All this is making me want to go get some Gardening Supplies and put in some work. But, I think i have benifited more than I was hindered, How many other woman can honestly say they know how to use a chainsaw? [wmaharper]
we do not have much of a yard for us to do yard work in, but when we visit my parents my son helps my step dad with the yard work, espically in the spring he likes to help him plant his garden and water it and pull the weeds [missyd79]
Yeah, i cudnt hav agreed more. Workin outdoor in fresh air is much better then just sittin home n watchin some T.V. shows.In addition to this , kids also learn new things. I wud even suggest that they shud b assigned some work n shud b paid 4 d work well done.This also brings up the ability of a child to induldge himself in money related matters. [addictd24hrs]
I agree, I think children should have a part in household chores, once they are old enough of course. It teaches them responsibility & gives them a sense of pride & accomplishment. [Duvessa]
You are a bright lady, and you are doing the right things with the kids and gradkids. I did the same, when my grandkids lived with me. It's good for them mentally and physically. [margieanneart]
I think engaging yardwork for children is just great for them and they know that they are helping it must be very enjoyable for him as well and it is good on you to allow him to do this for your grandson's sake. [kathy77]
wow!dont forget to invite me next time,sounds like you really had fun.Good for you. [Maryam_Nazir]
I think it is very important to encourage children to participate in regular household/yardwork chores. It is crucial though that you begin introducing chores at a young age, like around five. Not only does it give children a sense of accomplishment to know that they have helped, it also teaches a valuable life lesson; that there will always be chores that need to be done. It can't all be play time. It teaches respect and respoonsibility for young people to have duties that they must perform before they play or in order to get an allowance. I do think a reward system is an important aspect of teaching chores though. Even we do not want to go to work and not get something out of it. I applaud you and your hubby for teaching your grandson young. I think it's wonderful. [creativedreamweaver]
My girls enjoy pulling weeds & raking the leaves outside. They also like to garden but do that at my in-laws since we don't have a lot of space here. My middle child (almost 6) will actually be taking a gardening class of sorts again this fall. [crystal8577]
Hey..thats good to hear. Kids always do something cute. Thats wat makes people like em. [bloodrayne]
Well, good for you all. I'll remember that when my daughter starts on her chores. I hope she enjoys them as well. [Lydia1901]