Some of our friends are very impressed that our kids (well, namely Xander) do their own laundry. I want to correct any misconceptions about how this happens, because purely, it's all due to technology. We have front-loading machines with easy buttons and use single detergent pods/packs.
Step #1: Xander and Ari carry their laundry basket from their room to the laundry area.
Step #2: They open the washing machine door and take turns throwing the dirty clothes into the washer.
Step #3: Jonathan hands one of them a soap packet. They put it on top of the clothes in the drum.
Step #4: They close the washer door.
Step #5: Xander turns the knob to the word "Normal." He or Ari press "Start."
Step #6: They watch Washing Machine TV for a few moments and Ari says things like "My pajamas wet now!"
45 minutes later, they reconvene.
Step #1: They open the washer door.
Step #2: They open the dryer door.
Step #3: They take turns throwing the wet clothes from the washer into the dryer.
Step #4: They pick up all the clothes that have fallen onto the floor in front of the washer, and put them in the dryer.
Step #5: Jonathan hands them a fabric softener sheet and they put it on top of the clothes.
Step #6: Xander turns the dial to "Normal." He or Ari press "Start."
Step #7: They watch Dryer TV for a few moments and Ari says things like, "My pajamas spin!!"
45 minutes later, they reconvene.
Step #1: They open the dryer door.
Step #2: Jonathan hands them the laundry basket, which they put on the floor directly in front of the door.
Step #3: They take turns pulling the clothes from the dryer down into the basket.
Step #4: They pick up all the clothes that have fallen onto the floor and put them in the basket.
Step #5: Xander empties the lint filter.
Step #6: Jonathan and Xander are "super strong" and bring the basket to the dining room table, where Jonathan dumps it out.
Later....
Step #1: I fold the laundry and sort it into piles for each of them.
Later again...
Step #1: Xander takes his pile of clothes and puts it away in his drawers.
Step #2: Ari attempts this but does a bad job so Jonathan does it for him.
And voila, we have clean laundry! Xander can actually do most of these steps himself; the other day he put all his clothes in the washer at our request and was just waiting for Jonathan's permission to press "Start." It's all about teaching them responsibility, and training them early! <insert evil cackle here>
I am SOOOOO impressed! I didn't learn how to do laundry until I was in my late teens!!!!! Good for Xander and Ari and good for YOU TWO!!!!
ReplyDeleteLoving you from Long Beach,
Mom/Bubby
By the way, I feel the need to correct a misconception that you have! Let's face it, since we stopped pounding our laundry on rocks and rolling them through rollers, doing laundry has always gotten done because of technology. So your laundry gets done just like everyone else's. However, this isn't about technology. This is about two parents (and probably Jonathan more than you) taking the time so teach two little boys about how take care of the themselves as well as contribute to the family. It's about taking responsibility and helping them understand that everyone in a family has chores. That we all do things that are important. Their jobs are doing well in school and laundry (at this point, anyway!). Your and Jonathan's jobs? Everything else!
ReplyDeleteSo I suspect that while your friends are impressed that your boys do their own laundry, my guess is that they're also impressed that you're training them early. I know I am.
Still loving you in Long Beach!
Mom
So eloquent, Mom! Thank you so much. (And yeah... it's all Jonathan with the laundry.) I'm really good on making sure they take their plates to the kitchen counter after every meal, though. :)
Deleteamazing! impressed indeed :)
ReplyDeleteYou'll get there too, once Zara grows up a little bit!
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