chores

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Dear Jack: Smart Money

14 years, 3 months.

Dear Jack,

You are the smartest person I know. That means my life is a little bit easier, accordingly.

We never have to ask you to do your homework, because you always get it done during school. Somehow you never study for tests, yet your grades are always good.

So this week when I learned you had earned the privilege of “skipping out” of your semester tests due to your consistently high grades, I was very happy for you.

This is a reminder that I am a “fun” dad. My rule: No school? No bedtime.

I don’t care. Stay up super late playing your PlayStation 5 games. Be a 14 year-old boy.

But of course, you elected to spend one of your days off from school working for Nonna and Papa; tearing down some old playground equipment in their background and helping with the insulation process under their house.

So in review: You’re a smart kid who plays hard and works hard. I endorse this.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Doing Chores to Earn Souvenirs?

7 years old.

Dear Holly,

Last week while Mommy and I were on vacation in Michigan, Nonna and Papa came up to take care of you and your brother.

While I definitely received many pictures of you playing and having fun, I also got this photo of you helping clean the house.

I am so grateful that you recognize the importance of contributing to chores; especially that you perceive it as fun, to some degree.

Of course, you knew good and well that Mommy and I would be bringing you souvenirs from Traverse City…

So I guess you earned them!

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: You Like to Help Put the Groceries Away

4 years, 9 months.

Dear Holly,

We’ve stumbled into a new routine over the past few weeks now on Saturday mornings: I buy groceries right after I go to the gym. Then once I get home and unload the groceries, you immediately start helping organize them so Mommy can put them away.

You also have this habit of when I unload the dryer, you run over and start folding all the towels- that’s your specialty!

It’s always such a sweet surprise whenever you volunteer to help me with household chores, without ever even asking me if you can… of course, you know the answer is always yes.

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: Your New “Household Chores for Cash” Program

8 years, 3 months.

Dear Jack,

Every night after dinner now, you and I now tag-team drying the dishes. Specifically, you handle drying and putting away the countless number of plastic water bottles, cups, and containers it apparently takes for our family to function on a daily basis.

Plus, every Wednesday and Sunday, you are now responsible for collecting the garbage from the five smaller wastebaskets throughout our house, so that I can combine them with the tall kitchen garbage, then take them outside to the main garbage bin.

I must say, this system has been working very well over the past few weeks in has been in effect.

For a few dollars a week, I am impressed by the way you get the work done amazingly without complaining.

Sure, the money helps- but I also recognize you’re definitely old enough now to secretly crave some sense of responsibility.

Love,

Daddy