Oliver entered into a big cleaning stage a few months ago. He loved to surprise me by disappearing upstairs for awhile and then coming down and announcing that the whole playroom was clean. He also branched out into cleaning up the kitchen for me, which was fun because I would find things in all sorts of unusual places. For instance, cereal bowls and spoons in the garbage can.
Anyway, it has been really helpful, but after awhile I started to feel bad because it seemed like Oliver was getting trapped in his cleaning behavior - I always complimented him a lot when he did it and told him what a good cleaner/helper he was, and I think he thought if he stopped, I wouldn't think he was that neat anymore. His cleaning was almost getting excessive, and he kept asking me if it was just making me so happy when he cleaned the whole house up. I had to start telling him that he made me happy even when he didn't clean the whole house, and at one point I even said he wasn't allowed to clean up after the other kids anymore, because he shouldn't have to do that every day. I had to convince him that it would make me happy to see him take a little break once in a while. Since then he's gotten a little more practical about it, and I even think he might be a little relieved to not feel that pressure to clean all the time.
He still is proud of his cleaning abilities, though. The other day I was cleaning up in the kitchen while he ate, and I guess I was feeling tired or something, and he heard me do a little sigh. This was our conversation after that:
Me: Sigh.
Oliver: What happened?
Me: Oh, nothing. I'm just a little tired.
Oliver: Well, that's just one of the things that happens when you clean.
Then, in case I started doubting his cleaning powers, he kept going -
Oliver: I'm sorry to say this, but I'm just telling you the truth - I never get tired when I clean. Maybe because it's one of my best hobbies in the world!
Me: Oh. Wow. You are lucky.
Last night he did something cute. As I mentioned above, he is starting to be more moderate with his cleaning, and is not always as super eager to do it as he was. He and Tristan were outside playing catch, and I was getting dinner ready. They had been drawing and making crafts at the table, so it was a big mess, but instead of having them come in to clear the table for me, I just quickly did it myself, as a little surprise for them. Then when they did come in, I asked if they'd run upstairs to help Rachel clean up the playroom while I finished dinner. Oliver actually started to complain a little bit, which was a surprise to me, but then he glanced at the clean table and stopped mid-sentence. He got a huge grin on his face, pointed at me, and said, "I love my mom!" He then went happily upstairs to help Rachel. Now that I think about it, it was pretty rewarding to do that little surprise and then have it get that kind of reaction - I can kind of see what the appeal has been for Oliver.
Speaking of love, Oliver has been saying he loves me in a fun way. He started by saying that I was the best mom he had ever had. I think he quickly realized this wasn't really saying much, so then he changed it to, "Mom, even if I had TWO moms, you would be my best one." He loves to say this to me all the time. I feel so honored.
Rachel, as always, started copying Oliver, but in typical Rachel fashion, she had to take it a step farther. Her favorite thing to say now is, "Mom, I love you so much that even if I had THREE moms, I would still love you the best."
Except the other night she confessed to me that she has been thinking about it, and she decided that if she really did have three moms, she would probably love them all the same, because, as she put it, "Mom, how would that make the other two moms feel if I loved you the best? That wouldn't really be fair."
I guess I should be glad that she's so concerned with being fair to others. I will try not to let this imaginary situation hurt my feelings.
8 comments:
I wish my kids would catch a little of the cleaning bug. My kids go out of their way to NOT clean something up. That always surprises me as it seems to take way more effort than just cleaning it up...Kids!
Joanne, thanks for sharing the great story. Olly is such a wonderful and thoughtful little guy. I also love the story about Rachy. I remember getting really nervous when my Mom would tell me that I was her favorite (come to find out she said that to all of us) Most of the time I was prying for her to say it and then when she finally did, I would have a panic attack concerned for my other siblings.
Man, I was just thinking, "Oliver is such a funny kid!" But then you shared that story about Rachel and I found myself feeling overwhelmed. I love your family!!
Oh I just loved those stories! It was so cute how Oliver was so thankful that you cleaned up his mess. Ty and I were talking about how great it was that it was such a big deal to him. You must have him very well trained on cleaning up after himself. Thus his excitement when someone cleaned up for him (Plus he does have a great Mom). And just for the record my mom told me she told my other siblings that they were her favorite, but she told me I actually was her favorite.
I just want to pick Ollie up and and squeeze his sweet little face! I mean seriously, could you ask for a sweeter kid? I have a nephew who is 5 and I honestly could NEVER imagine him ever wanting to clean! I think you are pretty lucky to have such a sweet and thoughtful little boy.
In fact, I'd say thoughtful is the perfect way to describe all of your kids. Even when they say the silliest things, they always seem to put a good amount of thought into it. I definitely think it comes from having two very smart parents : )
with all of these great stories from funny things that your children say, i can't wait until madeleine is old enough to start talking. hopefully she's half as funny as your children.
You're not my mom, and I still think you're one of the best! That is cute.
O.K. Joanne, I think I need some parenting training from you. You have a child who's favorite hobby is to clean up (after his siblings mind you), a son and daughter who hug and call each other valentine, kids telling you how much they love you, wow! You guys are like the modern day Brady Bunch. I definitley could learn a thing or two from you. Your kids are amazing. How's pregnancy going? I think about you all the time. I know I keep saying this, but, we need to get together.
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