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

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