It Needs More Grease.

We are firm believers in our children doing chores. Even as young as Caiden is, there are certain things that he is asked to do on a daily or regular basis. His hardest thing is making his bed. He has a hard time getting the sheet pulled up and to lay flat after he has tossed, turned and then kicked it down to the bottom of the bed.

He gets really frustrated that it doesn't look smooth. He will come asking for help even before he ever tries.
Caiden's response to needing to make his bed is one that is somewhere between disappointment and frustration at this very simple (to an adult) chore.
Each day my reply is the same. "Try your best and if you still need help, then you can come and ask me for it."

I decided to have a teaching moment yesterday. I wanted to teach him about the Grace of Christ. I sat down with Caiden and explained this concept - that we are asked to do our best while in this life, and if we do, Jesus will help make up the difference between us and being perfect so that we can return to heaven - this is grace.

I paralleled it with him making his bed. I replied similarly this time but added "Try your best and if you still need help, I will provide 'grace' for you and help you make your bed so that it looks nice."
I thought our talk went really well. He hoped right down off his bed and started to try it again.

A couple of minutes later he came looking for me again.
He said, "I can't get my sheet to come up, it's stuck.... I think it needs more GREASE."

(I guess my teaching moment didn't go so well after all. It did give us a good giggle and a fun memory.)

FYI,
Caiden's chores that he is in charge of:
Setting the table
Making his bed and putting away his pajamas in the morning.
Being nice to his family.
Emptying the little garbage cans.
(These next two are the ones he picked out... SERIOUSLY!!!)
Scrubbing the toilets (He loves the brush thing... strange I know!)
And mopping the floor. (He has a Swiffer Wet Jet that he LOVES!)