Dishwashergate..... !!!

I was having a chat with a few ladies on Twitter after one of them tweeted about how her kids never clear the table or load this dishwasher.  It appears that it wasn't only her house, but mine and a couple of others also. I'm also sure there are lots more of you out there who also have the same problem when it comes to kids loading the dishwasher or clearing the table. Mine slope off as soon as we have all finished, although I have finally achieved getting them to take their plates to the side next to the dishwasher. You'd think this was an easy task, but no !

The chat got me thinking about my two teens and how easy they have it really. I guess you could call me a softy as I think kids should be kids and enjoy their childhood without having to do too many chores - I'll probably get blasted for that but hey ho ! However, as they are now getting older I don't think loading the dishwasher and clearing the table is too much to ask. I have to add that Teen 1's job on a Monday when he isn't at college is to unload the dishwasher and on a couple occasions has actually unloaded it on a day when he hasn't been asked, you could've blew me down I was so shocked but also very happy. It is taking a long time to drum into him that it is nice to do things for others without being asked and to be thoughtful of others and how they might feel  (unfortunately he doesn't take after my side of the family for being thoughtful of others, luckily teen 2 does!) but I am persevering and it is paying off. It's funny how hard it is to change someone's trait or try and influence them into thinking of others. On Monday Teen 1 also hung out the washing, yes you read that correctly, he hung out the washing !!!!! I did ask him, ( in a text when I was at work!) but all the same he hung the washing out !!!

Anyway I digress. So, yesterday after tea, I decided to leave them too it. I got up from the table and said I'm going to sit in the garden, you two can clear the table and load the dishwasher. Well, their faces were a picture. Rather too quick I thought, Teen 1 appeared in the garden. I asked had he put the pans in the dishwasher too -  pans?!!! was his answer.  When I went into the kitchen a bit later, yes the plates and knives and forks were in there but the pans were still on the stove and odd utensils I'd used were still on the side too. 

So, was it on purpose so I don't ask them again? Who knows, it just confirmed the conversation I'd had with the lovely ladies. I know I will have to persevere but as one of them said, sometimes it's easier to do it yourself ! 

Toddlepip doodlebugs xxx

Ps please don't blast me for being a soft touch 😊 xx