That bunch of clothes on the dryer above is Ivy’s way of helping. She saw me getting the washing out of the washing machine and approached saying “I help.”
She then proceeds to just shove them on the dryer, one after the other, in one big bunch. She wouldn’t let me help her either, saying “no, I do it”, which is not surprising as she’s fiercely independent (anyone with a three year-old will have a similar experience).
In her little head she thinks she’s helping, and she’s at that age where everything is an enjoyable learning experience and boring-ass chores feel fun. Yeah, it means the job takes twice as long for me, as I have to take everything off that she’s put on there. But I would never not want this experience. It’s cute as hell and it’s little moments like this that I’ll fondly remember, especially once she’s a grumpy teenager moaning about helping with chores.
They’ll get to an age one day where you’ll miss these little moments from when they were tiny. My 7 year-old already likes to moan when we ask him to do chores, yet there was a time when he would be like Ivy too. That said, Noah also has unprompted moments when he wants to help, such as with helping me clear weeds in the garden. I’ll always let him help and cherish that time with him, because those moments don’t last forever.
They won’t be perfect when they do help. But those imperfections are what helps them learn. Focus on the process, not the outcome.
I’ve just realised I’ve never mentioned Ivy on my blog before, apart from announcing our pregnancy in this post. There is something I want to share about her soon as it’s a cause I need to bring more awareness too, but I’ll leave that for another day.