Former procrastinators, here’s a favorite memory that includes an excellent point.
At my cousins’ house in the late afternoon, preparing dinner was part of what we did. My aunt started dinner earlier in the day, but at 5 pm her daughters went in to finish up and get things on the table for their family of 6. They often sang and whistled while they prepared. My uncle came home from work and sat down with the newspaper. My aunt sat in her chair beside his and read or did needlework. I loved it.
One afternoon a woman visiting my aunt saw what was going on and commented, “You are so lucky to have girls like this!” My aunt responded, “Lucky nothin’ – I worked HARD to make these girls like this!”
Let’s credit God for His grace – He used my aunt. The effort was worth it.
It’s easy to put off training our children – or other people – to do work they can learn to do. “It’s quicker to do it myself.” “I want it done a certain way.” Long term, these attitudes make work for us and handicap the other person.
A toddler eager to help will leave bed linens wrinkled and cattywampus. He’s thrilled when mom accepts his efforts with no “re-do” and joyfully thanks him for his help. Little hands that set the table may not do it perfectly, but the little heart is happy to be trusted and valued. It’s worth it.
As children take responsibility for doing laundry, it lifts a load that enables mom to do other things. Dealing with the white-speckled aftermath of a Kleenex in the wash is a vivid and lasting lesson! It’s worth it.
We did our grocery shopping on the way home from piano – not fun at the end of a long day. To shorten the time, our son took over the most time-consuming part of the job – produce. He was capable because shopping with me, he’d been through years of how to buy green beans and squash. Meanwhile, our daughter and I completed the rest of the store. We met and checked out together. Later, our daughter took over the produce chore. It was worth it.
Teaching a skill – or otherwise instructing – takes time, energy, patience, and willingness to have less-than-perfect. But everybody wins. If we put off the training, we can make work for ourselves and can end up struggling unnecessarily.
Those we train develop skills and responsibility, learning what it takes to operate a home or business. They grow in confidence and develop a team attitude knowing others rely on them. The hard work of training can result in peaceful rewards for teacher and student. It’s worth it.
What task can you begin transferring to someone else?
I am so thankful for the wisdom of others that taught me how important it is to train up a child. Now my big girls are able to help with laundry, cooking, dishes and childcare. I often say that life is easier now with 6 children than it used to be with only 1…2…3 or 4. I don’t do a perfect training job but another great benefit of teaching children these life skills is a comfidence that makes them want to spend more time with the person who trained them.
Thank you again for an encouraging post!
That’s wonderful, Rebecca! What a vivid illustration! I hadn’t thought about the added benefit you mention of the bonding that can take place and the continued enjoyment that goes on through the years. Inspiring!
So TRUE! I struggle with this myself. As a mama of five, it’s easy to tell yourself, “it’s faster to just do it myself”, but it leads to lazy children and overworked mom! I feel this article was just for me. Now the hard part….instituting change!
Bless you, Sharon. I had the same struggle. It probably IS faster to do it yourself. But you are alert to think, “What do I want MORE? A quick job in the moment – or capable, diligent children and a peaceful mom?” You can do it! You’re partnering with the Lord.