Tuesday, January 23, 2007

My Anna


My poor kid... I don't know what the heck I am going to do with her. She and Emma both had ear aches 2 weeks ago, and now Anna has a fever and a cough. She felt so bad yesterday that she stayed home from school, and I kind of made her stay home today because this morning she looked peaked and had a raspy cough.

After breakfast, Anna croaked ;O) that she wanted to help do the dishes. What is so surprising about this is that even when she is perfectly healthy, or near healthy, and despite me glue gunning myself into oblivion with this little gem...

at 5 cents a chore, she still refuses to do them. Our rule is she doesn't have to do her chores. Don't do them, you don't get paid. We also have a rule that she gets toys etc on holidays and her birthday. If she really wants something, she has to save up for it. We are hoping that eventually, after a few months, that Barbie she really wants will motivate her. We are trying to teach her the value of working hard for something she wants, and saving up for it. I digress, it's a very bad habit of mine. :O)

Anyway, as I was saying... On a "normal" day, she doesn't want to do her chores despite knowing she gets 5 cents a chore. On a good day, she has the possibility to earn 60 cents! But today, feeling bad... she decided that I should cash in that coupon for dish washing that she gave me as a Christmas present. :D
So here she is, helping her momma and keeping busy while feeling yucky.






I'm not sure if we have taught her anything about money management yet, but she has learned the value of giving and spending time with family. Even if it's doing dishes when you are under the weather.

Besides, I let her use the sprayer for the first time... what could be better than that?


8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I did that chore chart with my four-year-old. It's more work to get him to do the work than it is to do it myself!

tiggerprr said...

Be thankful that you're doing this so early. I never did the chore thing with Ashlyn other than keeping her room clean and her laundry, until the last couple years when she started to want money for things like movies, food, shopping more often. Plus, I wanted her to learn how to do all the chore-y things so she wouldn't be at a loss later. That girl still can't cook much more than mac and cheese, and I have to ride her like an old painted nag to get her to do anything. :( Stick with the chores and never waiver, I say!

Lee Ann aka Dixie said...

Oh how I wish that I had done that chore chart when my daughter was younger. Maybe I would have had better luck getting her to help. Keep up the good work.

Thanks for stopping by and Happy TT!

Dixie
http://dixies-heartandsoul.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Can I say again how much I love that chore chart you made? I still have to do mine. GG is using the chore cards as bookmarkers! LOL!

That's so great that Anna was willing to help out even if she wasn't feeling well.

Thank you for sharing this with the Carnival of Family Life.

Anonymous said...

I think that's a terrific idea, Mary. Like Kailani, I like the chore chart you developed, and I think the notion of letting it be her choice is awesome. Tigerprr is right: doing it early is the best way.

I'm also your Valentine Swap person so I was hoping to get your e-mail and information! My e-mail is msabatini78@hotmail.com. Hope to hear from you soon!

Lisa @ Let's Talk Babies said...

I like the chores board! I think knowing the value of giving and spending time with family is better than knowing the value of money any way. I am sure she will eventually learn the lesson about money.

Here via the carnival of family life.

Kelly Curtis said...

Fantastic post!! I'm so mad that my Blackberry ate all the comments I left! ARGHHHHH!

Anyway, this is an excellent PTT post. Thanks so much for playing!

Heather in Beautiful BC said...

That's such a cute chart - I think I'll put one up and pay myself each time I do a yucky chore :)

Sweet little sweetie pie to help Momma do the dishes - even when she's home sick!

She obviously has a good role model...