They also are required to clear their dishes after every meal. Every evening they have to help clean up all of their toys and straighten out their rooms a bit.
The other day when Alex was complaining that she did not have a cup to drink from at dinner time I made sure to let her know of all I did myself to get ready for dinner and so if she would like to ensure she has a cup next time I would love it if she helped me set the table.
I want to teach my kids to be responsible so they can learn the value of hard work, finishing a job and heck so I can be a little more lazy and do less things myself. Hey, I'm being honest here.
But even with all I want my kids to do- there is one job they are NOT allowed to do.
They are under no circumstances allowed to change the toilet paper.
Several months ago, Lucas had enough to finish up, was flushing and while flushing was changing the toilet paper. At that exact moment the toilet paper holder slipped from his hand, fell into the toilet and went down the drain! Yes, the entire stick-thing toilet paper holder fell was flushed! Though- the next day the toilet would no longer flush. Eric happened to be there at the time and still says he would not believe it if he hadn't seen it with his own eyes.
A few months after that, while Alex was in the bathroom and the toilet paper ran out mid-usage- she went to change the roll and the little stick fell in the toilet. And well, she hadn't just gone pee. Fishing things out of poop filled toilets is probably the lowest thing on my list of things I like doing.And then when this exact same thing happened just a few days later- I was done.
Now my kids know that they are no longer allowed to change the toilet paper.
So, if I walk into the bathroom and see an empty roll- it doesn't annoy me as it might most, but it makes me happy because I know my kids are actually listening.
Linking up today with the lovely Impulsive Addict and Seriously Shawn for their Talk to Us Tuesday
That is awesome the kids help around the house. My son is trying a lot harder when it comes to helping around the house. My daughter is even picking up every now and then.
ReplyDeleteLOL I can't believe the whole TP holder thing actually flushed!
I can't believe the roll actually went down the drain!
ReplyDeleteWhen my daughter was younger she wasn't allowed to even flush the toilet. I swear she used a whole roll to wipe herself and ended up flooding the bathroom and part of the kitchen.
Wow. That's amazing it went down the toliet. PJ is obsessed with flushing...now only if he'd tell me he had to go...
ReplyDeleteMy hubby will change the roll, but the cardboard roll left over? he just can't seem to get it into the garbage that is right there. Drives me nuts.
ReplyDeleteBlech. I'm not sure I could fish something out of a dirty toilet. I'd probably make the offender go in and get it themselves! :o) Gag.
ReplyDeleteNow that Lexie's getting older, she has more chores, but when she was little, I'd have her play "Cinderella" with me. :o) Suddenly cleaning up her room was playtime. She loved it, I loved it. :o)
Max has yet to learn this rule. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteThis made me smile. It's good that you're making your kids work - I wish more parents would do that, not TO their kids, but FOR their kids! As for them no longer being able to change the toilet paper - I totally hear you. LOL Funny how the simplest things can sometimes cause the biggest problems.
ReplyDeleteI don't even have a roll thing to flush. But have dropped the roll of paper in the toilet... and that is just about as gross!
ReplyDeleteI think my kids are channelling your toilet paper rules. I always find an empty roll and the new one sitting on the counter. I too do not get angry, because lord forbid they should put it on where the paper rolls the wrong way.
ReplyDeleteThat is too funny-- I can't wait for my kids to help me out. Right now I am happy if my husband doesn't even change the toilet paper holder because he NEVER puts it on correctly. The paper is always going the wrong way and I've decided he does it on purpose.
ReplyDeleteMy mom used to say to me when I would help and do a half ass job(thinking that it would get me out of having to help next time) is that I would keep doing it until I got it right--- ugh! Cleaning the kitchen was my pet peeve growing up.. I loved to help vaccum.. Teaching my kids to help me keep the floors clean will be #1 priority!
Ha ha I don't blame you. But good for you for having them help around the house. I'm taking notes girl!
ReplyDeleteLOL, I can't believe the whole thing actually flushed down the toilet! Totally stumbled this!
ReplyDeleteI myself like to learn from other's experiences and therefore my children will not ever be changing the toilet paper roll!! Thanks for telling this story! :)
ReplyDeleteHaha.
I do however get my oldest son to get the toilet paper out of the closet and bring me a roll when we are all out. LOl
Ewwwww!!! I like that rule. I will not be able to handle digging things out of poop. Emma was trying to potty yesterday and when she got off the toilet, she pooped EVERYWHERE. Liquid poop. It made my gag reflex kick in. I almost puked. She was crying, I was gagging and the dog was barking. It was a lovely evening. I don't handle poop well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up with us!!! =)
So funny! That is a good rule to have - I can't believe it went down! Crazy the things that happen in a house with kids huh? Thanks for sharing the story though, I'll have to watch the kids more closely when they are changing the roll!
ReplyDeleteI thought you were going to take thins another direction. Literally, like the toilet paper must come off of the roll from the top not sticking your hand in pooh-pooh water! Ahhh the things we do as Mothers!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up!
Yeah, I totally get why you want to change the roll.
ReplyDeleteWith that, yes I would have the same rule. Haha. I think Emily changes it, I know she replaces the milk. She and I are the only ones. Whatever. LOL.
ReplyDeleteWhat are the chances! I'd be making that rule if I were you too! Ours is soooo hard to get off, they can't make it budge, so I guess I'm safe. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm convinced no one but me knows how to change it in my family.
ReplyDeleteUGH!!! We had to fish a Nintendo DS out of a poopy toilet - needless to say, they never got their DS back....
ReplyDelete~Becca
that is awesome i have an adult hubby who has trouble picking up after himself. your kids rock
ReplyDeleteI think it is great that you have your kids help so much. I admire that. I think your rule is a very very good one!
ReplyDeleteDidn't realize that could happen! Maybe it's a good thing that my husband notoriously doesn't reload the TP.
ReplyDeleteI'm all for responsible kids too! But the toilet paper thing...that is too funny! How on earth did that happen?!?
ReplyDeleteNone of my kids appear to even know HOW to change the toilet paper. Maybe that's a good thing...
ReplyDeleteSandy
That's so funny!! I don't blame you for not letting them change the toilet paper!
ReplyDeleteSo funny, just one of the many times when kids helping isn't really that helpful.
ReplyDeleteOMGosh!!!! I can't believe!! The toilet paper seems to be jinxed in your house.
ReplyDeleteI agree that kids need responsibilities from an early age. It helps you and makes them feel happy that they can help (until they get to be tweens that is...)
I just can't believe that happened twice!
ReplyDeleteOh for crap's sake! LITERALLY. UGH.
ReplyDeleteYou can't make that stuff up, how in the world?!
ReplyDeleteBut someone hilarious blog material, at least you can smile about that
I dread this kind of thing happening. That's so great that you've taught your kids to help out so much. We're still working on it over here.
ReplyDeleteOh ew! Yeah, I'd be ok with them not changing it too!
ReplyDeleteOh good grief! The things us Mamas have to do:) Thanks for the giggle, off to check the TP rolls.
ReplyDeleteCracking up - in empathy! Only because you know you've really made it as a mom if you fish something out of a "full" toilet without passing out.
ReplyDeleteCongrats - good job getting the kids to listen! :)
Eeeeww! Sometimes, I'm NOT looking forward to the potty trained days!
ReplyDeleteHaha! Definitely the right choice! This brought back too many recent toilet fishing memories.
ReplyDelete