Involve your kids

If you have kids you know things that were once events have become processes.  Before when my wife and I wanted to go to the store we grabbed our keys and sunglasses and headed out the door.  Now that we have three kids we have to get the kids dressed and shoes on (which normally involves putting shoes on at least one kid twice), diaper bag packed and ready, your keys and shades, your wife's purse (which is difficult to tell apart from the diaper bag at times), load the kids up and buckle them all in their respective car seats, only to have to come back home because you both forgot your phones.  There is no way to avoid the chaos.  In a growing family you learn to embrace the new normality.

This simple fact makes chores you want or need to do almost impossible at times.  The struggle is you are trying to fight against a "formidable foe"...kids.  The trick is to make them want what you want.  Our kids made it so difficult to get anything done outside.  One of us was always trying to entertain them while one would try to get some work done.  This proved to be futile.  Our strategy needed to change.  Our plan of attack; encourage the kids to use their uncontainable energy and endless curiosity to learn (and help with) our chores.

Our kids have taken quite well to their new "ranch hand" title.  Our kids love doing things mommy and daddy do.  A little direction and a lot of positive reinforcement can go a long way.  Davey loves using his wheel barrel to help dad move some old straw from the chicken coop to the garden.  Lydia loves helping mommy feed the chickens and collect the eggs.  All of the sudden our biggest "little obstacles" have become some of our best helpers.

Our mindset as the parents needs to change.  We can no longer expect to get a full days work in with two people working.  It is crucial we realize on a good day we will only be about 75%.  75% is 100% better than the alternative outcome.  Progress, however, is not only measured in how much work you got done "on the farm" but, is also to be measured in how much your kids have learned about life.  Success is when your kid explains where her food came from and realizes that it was made possible through hard work and dedication.

The kids of today lack so much encouragement and positive reinforcement.  Incorporate your kids in your chores.  They love to learn and are excited to please you. Encourage them.  Show them you care and want them to be a part of your day to day activities.  It will make a world of difference.