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Further developments in the laundry saga:
Last week (on the day I did that all that folding) I went up to Bunnings and bought 3 laundry hampers. I placed one in each of the kids' bedrooms. When they came home I announced that there was a new regime in place.
They are now expected to do their own washing.
I stood by giving instructions and supervising the process for this first week. Caitlin has to practically climb into the washing machine to retrieve the last few socks and undies from the bottom after the wash has gone through and Tom will no doubt need to have the "how to work the washing machine" instructions repeated a fair few times before they stick but I reckon it's a go-er. I am no longer doing washing for 5 people!
Now, there are a couple of compromises being made. I've decided to let them use the dryer rather than trying to get them to hang stuff on the line which gives me a nasty case of dryer guilt but as we head into the cooler months my clothesline is pretty useless anyway. We'll tackle "how to use pegs" next summer :P Also, I'm still stuck with all the ironing, though I plan on getting David and Caitlin trained up in that department sooner rather than later. When I told Dave I expect him to learn to iron he wasn't terribly impressed, Caitlin took up the argument and told him that one day he might be living on his own and he'd have to do it himself and that anyway, even if he was married he should still do the ironing.
I promise I'll post about something more interesting than my washing soon! Apart from anything else I've got to tell you all about how Tom took over 50 photos of otters at Dubbo zoo.
The Big Idea: Gregory Frost
2 hours ago
11 comments:
The best thing I ever did was teach my kids to do their own laundry. At the time , I owned a restaurant with my husband and was washing napkins, aprons and tableclothes(sundays only) on a daily basis. So there was no way I was also washing clothes for 5 people! Of course, I was still doing laundry for myself and my husband (God forbid HE do the regular laundry!) He did help with the restaurant stuff... sometimes.
My kids were young, too. (13, 9 and 6)
you go girl- will be interested to see how this works out xx
Standing ovation to Mim! I can't remember exactly when, but I went on laundry strike too and it was the most emancipating empowering feeling. Prior to, all the kids had to do was bring me their dirty laundry. But after having to continually go after it myself, I simply drew the line. "I'm done! Either do your own stinking laundry from now on or wear dirty clothes. I don't care."
Oddly, it was easier to get the kids to do their own laundry than to bring it to me - which makes no sense at all. But nonetheless, I was free. Of course our water bill, electric bill, and laundry detergent expenditures hit the roof, but it was a small price to pay for the satisfaction of watching my kids do their own wash. So three cheers for Mim. And by the way... I adore otters and would have taken just as many pics (or more) as Tom.
Yay! I've got my 4 year old trained already to put his dirty clothes in the laundry and help me put away all the clean clothes, so we are getting there - just started 2 year old on putting dirty clothes in laundry!
Once you've trained them could you send them to my place - Mr 8 is good. He knows how to find the the laundry basket. But Miss 13 - arghhhh!
I like Caitlin's attitude towards David needing to learn how to iron!
My answer to ironing though is to try and buy things that don't require ironing. Or just don't bother doing it! The clothes dryer does the ironing for me ;)
I'm with you Di. After far too much of my teen years spent doing the household ironing for my Japanese mum (EVERYTHING had to be ironed perfectly including underwear and towels), I went on strike as soon as I left home. I buy soft cottons that unwrinkle throughout the day (so hubby finishes work looking better than when he started), and chuck everything in the dryer for 10 minutes or so after getting it off the line.
Charlie likes to watch the water go into the machine, but I'm not finding that terribly helpful.
Elissa likes to make sure all the dirty washing gets into the basket. At least I know where to look for missing shoes, hair brushes, library books... Not toothbrushes mind, they are reserved for the toilet.
Well done though. My mother washed my clothes until I moved out (I wasn't qualified), so it still surprises me a little that this can be done. I am learning fast though. :)
Well, I don't mind you posting about your washing. I'm looking forward to the sequel in how it all goes.
So far I'm just astonished at how little resistance was offered to the idea. They all seem quite cheerful about it! (We'll see how it's going in a few weeks time....)
OTTERS!!!
yay
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