| | | | More Like a Slightly Unhappy Gnat |
By Glenn A. Hascall
Perhaps your children are immune from an affliction that has needlessly ravaged my household. Oh, it began innocently enough, a toy here, a puzzle there and perhaps the odd game or two. In the end, their room is a veritable river of debris and the end result is a peculiar wailing and gnashing of teeth (mostly from my wife).
The lamentations continue when I instruct my children to put everything back in its place.
"That's not mine."
"I'm really tired, Dad."
"I can't possibly clean this up all by myself!"
"I sure some strange animal came into my room and made this mess."
Yep, I've heard 'em all. That nasally grating sound that emanates from their facial cavities no longer affects me like it once did either. Where once it was reminiscent of fingernails on a chalkboard, that sound is more like a slightly unhappy gnat these days.
The good news is my children may well be helping others in need from their lack of enthusiasm with regard to cleanup. You see, the rule in my home is that if I ask a child to cleanup they have an adequate amount of time to do so then all remaining toys will be sent on to Goodwill Industries in the name of my most generous children. It's amazing how fast they rediscover the value of their 'happy meal' toys and other pre-formed plastic gizmos.
I don't harass or lecture my children about the value of a well organized bedroom or the environmental benefits to the delicate ecosystem of our home. No, these have been tried and left wanting. I simply tell them that I am so pleased they are willing to lend aid and assistance to those in need. They are to be admired for the joy they will be passing on and I extol the virtue of their generosity.
I'm not sure what happens, but in the midst of my laudable speech a miracle takes place. While my eyes are closed in rapturous wonder, the clutter vanishes. As I mention their Nobel-Peace-Prize worthy gestures they are running from the room with hands over their ears.
So I stand gazing on the recently renovated, exterminated and purified room and in the quiet of that moment I am reminded that there are those occasions when I can motivate my children without the threat of punishment.
Perhaps my children would assess this situation differently, but I'm simply basking in the glow of a clean room.
Post a comment
FamilyLobby.com Articles is your source for family-related articles. Talk about this article in the FamilyLobby Community.
|
|
|
|
|
StumbleUpon
