Dishwasher Duty Discernment

She can't reach to put away the glasses or the plates,

and I don't really want to risk the potential breaks.

But having her help me unload the dishwasher

is an easy to way to promote in her

a healthy self-perception

if I make this a positive interaction.

I need to set her up to succeed.

“Will you put the silverware away for me?”

One by one she takes a fork or spoon

and matches them with those already in the drawer

putting them where they belong.

Hopefully, this will take long enough

that I can put away all the fragile stuff

before she starts handing them to me,

which she has done successfully,

over the tile floor.

It's worth the trepidation

and the extra time it takes

to include my eager four year old

in tasks even this mundane.

The benefits to her are great

(she never does complain),

and totally outweigh

any extra speed I'd gain.

She's learning she has value,

that she is capable and good,

that her input is worthwhile,

and that I believed she could.

Eventually when older,

she'll do it by herself

exactly as I taught her.

Then I'll do something else.

by:  Paula D. Nevison