Overwhelmed? Balancing Discipleship, Chores, and Life’s Demands

[@bdeffendall]

Thank you so much for this encouragement! I have been pondering this lately with my busy household.

[@vikawinters]

I loved that someone asked this question, bc I have been asking myself the same question for quite a few years. I honestly have wondered if something is wrong with me, why does it seem like everyone can get everything done and have their hair and nails done, and I can’t even finish my chores, let alone get prettied up (and my grandma keeps reminding me that that should be up high in the priorities of a married lady)… can I remember one single day my grandma wasn’t looking nice even with all the stuff she had to do as a widow, with two jobs, taking care of her elderly mother and her recently divorced daughter? I am not done listening yet, but I’ll devour this episode.

[@melindamuyargas1898]

I just continually remind myself that everyone is lacking somewhere. So when we see that mom with her nails done, we know that there's something else that isn't being done. As long as we faithfully disciple our children and do what we need to do in our role as wife and mother, we are doing what God asks us to do. Even with the Proverbs 31 women, I don't think it says anything about her getting her hair and nails done haha😂

[@melindamuyargas1898]

You asked about chores that little kids can do, so I'll state what's working for my family... We have a boy who just turned two last month. Every morning we have him empty the dishwasher, which I just use as a drying rack for the kid-friendly dishes that are on lower shelves that he can put away. He can also use the handheld vacuum to vacuum up his crumbs after a meal. He can take his dishes to the sink, and put his dirty clothes in the hamper, just as you mentioned in the video. He can also get his own plate, bowl, fork, cup, etc for meals. He cleans up his own toys, as well as his baby brother's. For toys, the kids are typically not allowed to get out a new toy unless the first one is put away. This prevents a lot of mess and huge cleanups needed. The 2-year-old can also hang up his own jacket, put away his shoes, and little things like that. I also have girls who are 6 and 3.5. They completely get their own breakfast in the morning. I have cereal in dispensers similar to a hotel continental breakfast, and I always have milk in a tiny pitcher that they can get out and pour themselves. Hmm... honestly, I'm having trouble thinking of other things that they do more than just what the 2-year-old does... So maybe that's something I need to work on haha. But of course a difference would be that they dress themselves, brush their own teeth, etc. Even for the 3-year-old, I have her choose her own clothes, but every so often I have to veto a choice, but it's usually fine. I don't do their hair in any special way, whereas I see other parents that can spend quite a long time braiding their daughter's hair. My girls just brush it, and that's about it. All that to say, I still feel 100% what this parent asked. It's impossible to "do it all", so I think we just have to do our best and be intentional with the time and resources God has given us. God's grace more than fills in for the places we lack. I continually have to remind myself of that too.

[@FoundationWorldview]

Thank you for taking the time to share this. It is encouraging to hear how others involve their children in responsibilities in everyday family life.

[@Brandalyn_Alberty]

Along with what others have said, my 5yo son unloads all of the dishwasher items that go beneath the kitchen counters that aren't heavy glass. Folds (fold in half and roll) all of his laundry and puts it away. Checks the mail Folds the washcloths and hand towels Vacuums Dusts My 13yo daughter Takes out the trash Cleans the bathroom her and her brother use. Helps cook dinner Puts away leftovers, Loads dishwasher, and handwashes dishes when she doesn't help with dinner. Wash/Dry/Fold/Put away her own laundry We want our kids to know they are capable and learn that life isnt always fun. These are things they will be responsible for on their own one day and we are doing a disservice to them and ourselves by not teaching them.

[@FoundationWorldview]

Thanks for investing the time to share this. It is encouraging to hear how others involve their children in responsibilities that make the household run smoothly.