Chores in The Waldorf Spirit

Helping and encouraging the children to help out is not just simply to make our lives and days a little easier. It is also for their own good. To bring rhythm, the single most important aspect of home life, is exactly what cleaning up and chores are, the utter consequence of things.

But it is not always easy, and it takes a lot of work, or stamina to see it through. Even when one would simply like to sit and enjoy that one cup of tea after dinner, trying to talk to each other, you know that being able to hold the space, and see it through the evening ritual is absolutely necessary.

A couple of weeks ago I had left the blocks out on the floor in the evening. We usually clean pretty well before we go to bed, but we have been working on the insurence papers practically every evening, and opted to get some sleep over picture perfect. The first thing Jasmin says as we stumble down the stairs at 6am, to make tea and make a fire, is : Oj, what a mess! I was heartbroken and so proud at the same time. Well, at least she has expectations, and has learnt how nice it is to be met by a clean inviting space t the beginning of a day.

Helping in the kitchen is our forte. We are incorperating the "island" in the kitchen in the new house, simply because we love having the kids help. And they are quite capable if you just let them ahave go at it. ( With a healthy dose of fear for the big knife...) They can see forst hand what goes into the compost, the necessary ingredients for baking, the process of whipping cream and making my coffee. They roll and cut and stir and especially love watching the popcorn pot, waiting for the first corns to pop. (A great opportunity to do tongue twisters by the way. Pop, pot, stop, a lot...)

A quick look in our "helping out" rhythm for a four year old on a regular day:

Putting away nighties in the morning.

Clearing breakfast dishes.

Sweeping.

Wiping table.

Washing pots in the sink. Water play in reality.

Putting wool clothes back in shelves when we come in. Hang up suits.

Put away playthings.

Set table.

Sort silverware from the dishwasher.

Light candle for King Winter on the Nature Table.

The list could go on...

This was an uplifting exercise, seeing how much she actually tries to do.

Happy days with the children to you.