I'm a Mommy, Just Like You

You see a sweet little girl playing at the sink. I see a girl who begged me for ten minutes to let her “do the dishes” before I finally caved and let her.

“Mommy, I’m a big girl now and can be a mommy and do the dishes.”

Her exact words. I couldn’t help but laugh out loud as I replied, “Oh yes, you are so right.”

Stella doing the dishes equals the water running for twenty minutes straight, the floor and cabinets in the surrounding area soaked, including the front side and sleeves of whatever outfit she’s wearing. Is it worth the mess? Yes! Surprisingly, when given a scrub brush full of dish soap, this girl can actually DO the dishes. I lay out a clean dish towel and she goes to town. it’s quite nice. The more she does, the less I have to do. Win, win!

Should I tell her enjoy it now, because some day she will feel tied down to the dishes? That someday she will feel like all she does is those damn dishes. Should I tell her that no matter how often you soak, rinse, and repeat, it will be a constant battle to make sure the sink stays empty. How it’s extremely easy to turn your back for a moment, only to turn around and find it full again?

NAH. I’m not crazy. If this girl wants to do the dishes, I’m going to let her! I realize there will come a day when I’ll ask her to help with house chores and I’ll get an eye roll in return. For now, I’ll soak up this so called [help] I can get. If this sweet girl thinks doing the dishes makes her more like me [mommy], then how can I not smile as I stand back and watch.

XO,

Sarah