This past week or two, I started "giving Pumpkin chores." It may sound strange to hear that a toddler has chores, but Pumpkin actually seems to really enjoy helping mama. In fact, the whole idea came to me because Pumpkin was showing an interest in what I'm doing. If I'm in the kitchen cooking, she is always trying to figure out what I'm doing. If I'm im the laundry room Pumpkin runs straight to the open drier door (and if I run to get a sock I see on the floor real fast she quickly finds a toy or shoe to put in the drier. If I'm feeding the dogs-she is right there watching. So I decided to take advantage of this natural curiosity.
Whenever Pumpkin is watching me, if there is something I can have her do, I include her. I'm the kitchen she will help me by picking up any veggies that fell on the floor during chopping and throwing them away, and after I peel the potatoes she puts them in the pot for me. In the laundry room, when she runs up to the drier, I hand her the wet clothes to put in the drier, tell her to close the door when we are done, then I lift her up and point to the buttons that need pressed. When I feed the dogs, I have her grab the scoop and help me feed the dogs. When it is time to clean up toys so I can sweep, I encourage her to put toys in the basket too. Then when I sweep I will slow down when she approaches, lean the sweeper all the way back and let her help me sweep. If I am washing the hard floors I can give her her own rag to wash the floor too. After she helps me I clap and praise her. It is THE biggest thing in the world, and she smiles with her huge beautiful smile and seems to stand just a little straighter. She is so proud of herself for helping!
All her help may not actually help me get my work done faster; in fact, it may actually slow me down in some cases, but look at how much she learns. She is learning that it is fun to help people, practicing fine (picking up chopped veggied and throwing them away) and gross (helping sweep the floor) motor skills, playing with sensory activities (touching skinned potatoes), and she actually is learning how to do the chores themselves also. She is learning about life-that chores a part of everyday life, so when it is time for her to do chores on her own it won't be such a shock.
Pumpkin's chores give her a sense of purpose and accomplishment. Today I was rushing a load of wash over because I was short on time and Pumpkin saw and came over wanting to help-I had already loaded the drier and she wanted to push the buttons. Her chores make her feel important, and the praise she gets for doing them makes her feel appreciated. Even though a year ago I would have said someone was crazy for giving a one year old chores, I am really seeing so many benefits in it for her, and she really enjoys herself.
Even though Pumpkin will usually rush to help me with a chore, sometimes she does not, and that's ok. If she is having fun playing, I let her be-she has her whole life ahead of her where chores will mandatory, but for now I will let her be a toddler-except when she WANTS to help.