Alternate, More Accurate Title: "Lover of Muffins" because I think he was motivated more by his passion for blueberry muffins than any desire to help, though he likes to do that too.
He always runs to the dryer when it beeps (actually, our dryer sings a little song when it's done, the crush continues) and stands ready to hand me each individual item to fold. He takes his socks over to his sock bin unprompted (we keep a little basket by the door for his socks- it seemed silly to keep them up in his room when we always need them to leave the house) and announces the owner of each item of clothing as I fold them.
He added to his household chore repertoire on Sunday when I found him zooming our mop around the kitchen floor. The dogs were standing by looking anxious but obviously afraid to leave the mini master unsupervised. When I walked in, Landon looked up beaming, and announced "Halp Dada!" I love that he associates his dad with the mop. And the vacuum. We're paving the road to gender equality, one toddler at a time.
Aww that's too cute. It's so great when they love to help around the house!
ReplyDeleteDo you find that helping helps out with tantrums? I have a theory that much of toddler tantrums (apart from the usual hungry,tired,cranky ones) is because they feel impotent.
ReplyDeleteFeeling competent and able to do stuff and help out makes them feel good, and useful, and we all enjoy that.
Okay, sorry, RJ, but I'm going to have to make fun of your comment... I'm fairly certain my toddler does not tantrum because she feels impotent. Now her father, on the other hand...
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Aww, that is really really adorable.
ReplyDeleteSo cute! I love to bake with Harry even though it is a heinous mess and he insists on cracking his own eggs
ReplyDeleteHey RJ and Anon (and everyone else as long as I'm at it) -- asking Landon to "help" really has helped with tantrums. I agree that a lot of his tantrums comes from feeling like he lacks control or power (alternate definition of impotent) over certain things like our schedule or house rules. Whenever he helps me do something - even if it's something he was yelling about 5 seconds ago - he gets excited and feels important. For example, he was furious that I took off his shoes last night when we came inside for dinner, but then when I asked him to help me put them away in his cubby in the laundry room, he was happy again. It doesn't always work, but sometimes it helps!
ReplyDeleteAnd I totally can't wait until he can vacuum and mop for real - yay for chores!
I love it when AJU5 helps me. And you are right, normally they are happier if they get to help than if we ignore them and try to get the same chores done. It may take a little longer, but the time is spent with a happy toddler is a lot better than time spent with a cranky one!
ReplyDeleteThat is seriously too cute. I might have to draft him into my kitchen. I personally love making blueberry muffins and bread, but I don't actually like blueberries, so I never eat what I make. We'd be a perfect team! He can help me bake and then eat all of the results. :)
ReplyDeleteI come back with my tail between my legs. Who knew impotent had an alternate definition? Not me, obviously. I just assumed it was a very funny typo, and that RJ meant to say "doesn't feel important." I stand corrected.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, totally agree that asking them to do tasks goes a long way to avoid tantrums. It makes them feel important. My daughter (19 months) also screams if I take off her shoes. But, if I ask her to please take off her shoes and put them away, she happily obliges.
Haha, I figured that might be the case and I admire you coming back- pull that tail back out from under you! (not that I'm implying you actually have a tail)
ReplyDeleteAnd why are they so attached to the shoes? I think it's because Landon knows that no shoes = no outside. And no outside = screaming. Even though it's been over 100 in Austin for the past 50 days or so.
Loved the comment about the husband's tantrums.
ReplyDeleteOf course the same goes for them. Men of any age like to feel competent, and useful, don't like to be left out of the important stuff in our lives either.
Although many people of either gender are happy for meals to appear on the table, dishest to be done, and clothes to appear clean!
hello... hapi blogging... have a nice day! just visiting here....
ReplyDeleteMy toddler is many months younger than your toddler, and we're just entering the tantrum phase. I've found this (sort of) works, too. Instead of taking his empty cup and putting it in the sink, I ask him to put it in the sink for me. Of course, he can't really, but if he's the one "doing it" then I'm allowed to help. It doesn't always work, but a little bit.
ReplyDeleteLandon is such a dollface! I love his white blond hair. :)
I love that he associates mopping and vacuuming with his dad too. And one toddler at a time? That's the only way to do it, right? Kudos. :)
ReplyDeleteHe's so cute! Love when they're helpful. I asked LM to clean up his puzzle pieces today and he promptly got out the mop, and said "Biiiig mess!" over and over. And then he got out the broom and said "Tiny mess!" Very cute, though I still ended up picking up the puzzle pieces.
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