Parental Duties

[LAKnows]

My daughter tried to convince me that I didn't raise housekeepers, to which I responded that a responsible adult usually cleans their house. Yet, for 3 adult children, I find myself doing their dishes, laundry, and general cleaning after one of their visits. I'm a glutton for punishment. Recently, I initiated a new rule: pay mom $5 to clean up after someone other than herself. Of course, this new rule is not popular, but I'm not their maid, nor does the book of parental duties suggest that I'm responsible for their messes. This pilot project should be interesting, and I'm wondering how close I am to buying a new car with each $5 fee.

[jpk0007]

Although I am not a parent myself I can understand your predicament. Parents do love their kids very much and try to pamper them unnecessarily sometimes. A little discipline is very necessary especially when the kids are growing up. Kids will develop a tendency of depending on their parents even for stuff like cleaning their own rooms if they are not taught about there responsibilities when they are small. It's not that a parent must always be very strict with their kid, but unnecessary pampering can very well be avoided. If the kids are aware of there duties and responsibilities right from there childhood then it will definitely help them in the future when they go out of the house to face the real world.

[Veronique Carrier]

Hilarious!  What a great idea! Children and teenagers often expect to be paid for helping around the house, yet they almost never return the favor. Hopefully, this will teach them not to take a mother's work for granted.  With any luck, your husband or partner is also watching.  However, I would be careful about "being a glutton for punishment."  I suspect you're trying to be funny, here, but I would like to remind you that young minds do not learn by being punished.  They learn by observing the adults around them and by being challenged to go beyond their own limitations. Shouldering new responsibilities such as household duties are part of a well-rounded education, even if we have to be creative about it. They will be grateful for it when they eventually move out. Keep it up!