Friday, February 12, 2010

To parents with children younger than mine:

Dear parents of young children,

I'm only giving this unsolicited advice because I think it truly is in your best interest.

Do not leave a 5 and 2 year old unattended. For any length of time. Under any circumstances. Period.

I've been working really hard at being a better housekeeper. I've been more diligent about letting my kids play by themselves while I do laundry, dusting, vacuuming, dishes, etc. I involve them whenever possible, but when not, I try to give them "jobs" to do to keep them busy (and out of my hair). I started the day with Clorox wipes and a scavenger hunt to find and clean all the light switches and door knobs in the house...that was a success.

Do not try to sucker your kids into helping you clean because you're behind, unless you are standing over them (and the cleaning supplies). Even if you make a game out of it.

Today I gave Hunter and Graysen the task of cleaning the glass door to our entertainment center.

Yes, I entrusted my 5 year old with the glass cleaner, and my 2 year old with a roll of paper towels. What was I thinking? I don't know. I was on the phone with my cousin, baking banana bread, cooking Spinach Artichoke Dip, and doing the dishes...all at the same time. Stupid. Go ahead and say it.


When I realized it was taking them a bit longer than it should have I came in the living room to see about 1/4 inch of Windex standing in the window seal, the lamp shade ripped off the lamp (literally torn) and soaking wet, and my son having a melt down because the TV wouldn't turn on. Wow. I guess they got a little overzealous and wanted to also clean the window, lamp shade, and TV.

So...I now have a lamp in the living room with no lamp shade and a TV that wont' turn on...because it's drenched with Windex. Hopefully it will dry out and work just fine...but no such luck as of yet!

1 comment:

Chrissy said...

I have learned similar lessons the hard way! :o)