Time, Chores, And Life

Chores take up a good amount of time. When I was a youngster my Granny supplied me with a list every time I visited her during the summer. Each day, I was responsible for ten chores. Some of the chores took five or ten minutes, but others were pretty detailed and took more time. My mom was the same as far as chores went, so I grew up expecting that I was going to do my share of work.

The first task I learned on my dad’s farm was how to clean the barn. That seemed like an all day job, and I didn’t much enjoy it. I would have to rake out the old hay and put in the new. It took me about an hour just to get the old hay out of the first stall in the barn. I couldn’t go to the next stall until the first one was completely finished, but when I was done, I felt proud of myself.

Grandmother also taught me how to vacuum. I learned to vacuum floors, lamp shades, and even her dog. When I was young, I thought vacuuming was fun. I would get to walk that noisy machine around from room to room. Sometimes it would scare the little brat my grandmother occasional babysat. Back then you had to change the bags in vacuums, which was no fun. I was taught to start at one end of the room to the other. Once one room was done it was onto the next.

The next chore was by far the best, and most fun. I learned to mow the lawn. That was interesting considering I was seven, and a little on the short side. It was no problem though because grandma would simply tie a rope on the top of the mower to keep it running, while I pushed as hard as I could on the middle bar. Mowing was like vacuuming, start at one end and work your way down to the other. I did pretty well at mowing since I already understood the process.

Today I appreciate all the chores I was given on the farm even though they took a lot of my time. I realized that chores never hurt anyone, and actually gives young people a real sense of pride when they accomplish a task.

David has an interest in helping people learn the value of chores and also giving them some tips to help do the chores and make life easier. Check out his site: Chore and Errand Runner and Chore and Errand Runner’s Helpful Tips.