One day I was up in my bedroom when I heard my 3 year old call from the bathroom, “Will somebody come wipe my bum??” I stood up to answer his call when I found my 14 year old standing outside of the bathroom also about to help out. He looked up at me and paused. We stared at each other for a moment, realizing that the other was going to take care of the task at hand. Suddenly, my 14 year old old held up his fist with his other hand flat underneath, proposing the most obvious solution to the problem. Rock, paper, scissors. I raised my own fist, accepting the challenge. He won the first round. I won the 2nd and 3rd round. Sweet victory. He accepted defeat graciously and went off to help my 3 year old. I was delighted that he didn’t complain or insist that I was already going to do it. He just did it.
The next day it happened again. My 3 year old called for help, and without them knowing that I was watching from the other room, my 12 year old and 14 year old stood up and faced off in a rock, paper, scissors battle. I had NO IDEA that this was a regular occurrence in my home! Apparently, when I’m gone, my older kids settle who’s in charge of what with a good old fashioned game of rock, paper, scissors. 3 rounds are played, there is an obvious winner, and no one seeks further instruction from me. No one waited for me to take care of my 3 year old, in this case, they just understood that it is a family responsibility, not a “mom only” responsibility. Hallelujah!! I share this with you because we have used it in plenty of other situations in which someone doesn’t necessarily want to do something and may need a little more motivation.
It’s a great way to show your kids that you are willing to follow through and accept defeat, and also helps teach them that it’s ok to have fun with the less appealing things in life! So give it a try, fists up, rock, paper, scissors, SHOOT!!
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Kayleen
