Recently, Son #1 wanted some money.
For what? I don’t have a clue. He doesn’t go out much.
All I know is he woke up from a nap and said, “Daddy, I need some money.”
Not thinking much of it, I said, “Okay, you can wash the car.”
“And I’ll get some money?” he asked.
“Yeah.”
It would seem I haven’t learned that children do not forget, which I haven’t. He bugged me until I let him wash it. True story. It was in the evening. After the ten thousandth time, I relented.
First, I had him pick up a few things from inside the car and wipe down the seats. Mostly, he picked up things in the back seat around his car seat. I use the words “pick up” and “wipe down” loosely. Our conversation was as follows:
“Son #1, pick up any trash that you see.”
“Okay.”
I held out the plastic Walmart bag for him. He picked up a piece of trash.
“Anything else back there?”
“No, Dad.”
I looked back there. Then I scheduled an eye exam at the local optometrist for him.
I pointed to things I would consider items worthy of being in the trash receptacle. “Get that and that.”
He gasped. “Oh, yeah!” We repeated this innumerable times.
Eventually, I backed the car out of the garage and got everything ready. We soaked the vehicle, and I guided him through the finer points of applying soap suds to dirt and grime.
And he worked hard. He reached as high as he could. He washed a wheel. I was so proud. He’s a good little worker.
When we started, the sun was above the tree line. By the time he finished with two doors, a wheel, and a left front panel, I couldn’t see the tree line.
I thanked him and told him to go inside because he had done all he could. But he didn’t want to quit. He told me that I still needed his help. I was so proud of his work ethic.
But since I wanted to finish before winter, I told him he had done all he could do.
I finished the washing and then went inside.
The boys had gotten ready for bed and were playing together. When I came in, he asked me to sit on the couch while he sat in the recliner. I acquiesced.
I had a glass of tea, and he had an apple juice. I asked him if he had a good day, and he said he did.
I told him I was so proud of him for helping with the car. I gave him a high five and told him how awesome he was. He smiled his contented smile that I love so much. Then I asked him to tell me about his day.
Now, let’s focus on the fact that I asked him about his whole day, from morning to evening.
But all he could focus on was the car washing. Then his smile disappeared. He looked over at me.
“Yeah, I really enjoyed washing the car, Dad.”
“I enjoyed your help, Son.”
“You know, you still haven’t paid me for that yet.” He opened his eyes wide and took a sip of his apple juice. “Remember, you said you were gonna pay me to wash the car.”
That little.
Please know that he doesn’t get paid to pick up his toys or the other little messes around the house, of which he is the main contributor.
But taking on the task of washing the car, with help, of course, was something worth rewarding. And the fact that he didn’t want to stop only added to his reward. I had him scrubbing and rescrubbing places that he missed. And he did it without a hint of a complaint. Have I mentioned that I was proud of him yet?
One thing I’ve learned is to make mundane tasks and working to accomplish something a joyous occasion.
He was eager to learn, he was motivated to keep going, and he didn’t complain once. Not bad for three years old.
I hope he continues to enjoy helping and accomplishing tasks around the house. I don’t want to snuff out the blazing fires of helpfulness and motivation.
to all the hard-working three-year-olds out there,
– Caleb
caneymountainblog.com 