mama's little helpers

mama's little helpers are really not all that helpful actually but they sure are cute and I appreciate that they want to help.

Butterfly's favorite chore is to unload the dishwasher. We started slowly, with the silverware, but have now worked up to a few dishes as well. We do it one piece at a time, she picks it up and then gives it to me to put it away. It takes forever but who am I to turn down her help?

Butterfly's new self-appointed task is to help me vacuum. She used to be scared of the vacuum. I have a distinct memory of her about a year and a half old, running away as soon as I turned it on. She would go grab a large stuffed animal to defend herself. If the vacuum got too close, she would hold the stuffed animal out and glare at the vacuum. (not sure if he was a bodyguard or a sacrifice). Since then, we had to get a new vacuum which is apparently less menacing (and its red, the family favorite color). So she insists on helping. Fortunately we've channeled this desire to actually be helpful, she moves toys out of the way according to my instructions (mostly). And Ladybug, not to be left out, follows me around carrying the vacuum cord (not at all helpful but at least she's a part of it).

Ladybug's favorite chore (Butterfly did this to when she was only a year old too) is to help fold the laundry. She especially likes the silky fabrics. She picks up an item, rolls it up over and over in her hands and puts it down very precisely (and then looks up at me and grins with satisfaction).

The hardest one is cleaning the bathrooms. They really want to help but I'm having a hard time involving them in a way that I feel is safe. Any suggestions?

We are also commencing into the realm of having Butterfly help me cook. (so beware to all dinner guests). Most of the time she's satisfied with pouring in an ingredient after I've measured it out but lately she insists on stirring as well. And according to her, everything "needs more salt". Not sure where she got that.

Yesterday we celebrated a great milestone. Butterfly, at only two and a half years old, set the table for breakfast. BY HERSELF. I got the dishes and food out and handed it to her. She carried it to the table and set it down. She even set out the silverware (fork and knife) in their correct positions. (I'd think that was coincidence but she did it at all three place settings). Here's the best part: instead of putting daddy's plate at his usual seat (in between the two girls and opposite of me), she put it on the other end of the table so he would only be sitting next to her. When I said, "no honey, daddy sits over there." she replied "no. daddy sit by me."

So yes, chores tend to take much longer than they should at our house. But hey, maybe if I let them help now, it will be less of a battle when they are older. Here's hoping...