I exploit my kid and I’m fine with it.

19 Jul By

Complaint: Kids who don’t clean up their own mess.

Solution: Child labor

In the past, I have been pretty terrible about enforcing chores, but then I had a nightmare that my teenage son grew up to be thirty-something, jobless, and living at home. So, I implemented some responsibility. Quick like!

The flexibility of a summer schedule can be very daunting for an Aspie kid. My son needs routine and certainty in his day. When summer roles around, this can be challenging, because the two things I don’t want in my day are routine and certainty!

What’s a mom to do?

Assign chores.

These chores have offered him comfort. Who knew?!

At first I thought this whole responsibilty thing was going to be a drag. I was certain that Child Protective Services would be knocking on my door, due to reports of neglect, but it’s going great!

Now that I see it happening, I realize it makes perfect sense. He has a list, and damned if he doesn’t check it every day and complete his chores without me even asking! Say what!?

Routine? check. 

Certainty? Yup.

Take heart, Dear one. These chores will be here for you every single day. This is one thing I am absolutely certain.

A lot of thought went into the chores I assigned to my oldest. You can’t just give a child with severe OCD trash duty, and call it a day. Aside from his own room and mess, he is in charge of the two cleanest chores in the house.

*Empty the dishwasher and put away the dishes.

*Unload the dryer and fold clothes.

Not only are these the two cleanest chores available, but they are also the two chores I hate the most. It’s a perfect match!

He’s also responsible for vacuuming the carpeted areas of the house twice a week. Ya’ll, he vacuums like a professional! There are perfect tracks throughout the house all week long.

And don’t even get me started on the dishwasher! You know how you have to check the dishes a little to make sure nothing gross got left behind? Or maybe there’s a little residue from the dish washing liquid? Most kids just put that crap away anyway. Not my boy! He is the dish police!

Ahhh. It’s a proud mommy moment. 

And the laundry? It’s folded meticulously. He’s better at it than I am!

It’s possible that I’m totally exploiting my child and taking advantage of his OCD.

But, I’m perfectly fine with that.

These chores have been wonderful for him. Who am I to steal his joy?

The way I look at it, it’s like therapy.

For both of us.

Plus, I now have the comfort of knowing that my nightmare will not come true. He will most certainly have a job and live away from home!

He’s going to make a great wife someday!

Now, SUBSCRIBE!

Inspired by Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop

prompt #2:  Tell us about the last thing you complained about.

How was the issue resolved?

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Adrienne

Somewhere along the way I picked up homeschooling two boys and blogging. When I'm not scrubbing toilets or answering endless questions, I'm usually here, over sharing it all! My writing is always honest, sometimes sarcastic, and never perfect. I hope to keep my kids from seeking adult therapy. I know. Pipe dreams...You can find me as @TheMommyMess on Twitter and on Facebook.

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Filed Under: Asperger's, OCD, parenting, raising teens

33 Comments

Comments

  1. jen says:
    July 19, 2012 at 1:28 pm

    Honestly it’s how I raised my kids and I think you attitude is fabulous and what your doing with you kids is spot on.

    Kids need a routine, it gives them comfort makes them feel like they fit. Whether its regular meal time, bed time, story time and yes even chores. When they know what to expect then they are free to be themselves……..I truly believe all these things teach them to be good productive little people and then big people.
    jen recently posted..wordless wednesday – do you have a favorite color?My Profile

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  2. Morgan says:
    July 19, 2012 at 1:54 pm

    I too take advantage of my children to get work done around the house! I love the chores I don’t have to do … vacuuming, trash, putting away laundry and spot cleaning the floor, oh my! :)

    Visiting from Mama Kat’s :)
    Morgan recently posted..A New Bestseller!My Profile

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  3. Alison says:
    July 19, 2012 at 2:48 pm

    I love how things fall in place.
    Alison recently posted..The Last Post?My Profile

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  4. MiMi says:
    July 19, 2012 at 4:57 pm

    Hell, *I* put dishes away with residue on em. LOL
    Good for you and good for him! I think it’s awesome.
    MiMi recently posted..That’s What I Said!My Profile

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  5. Julia says:
    July 19, 2012 at 5:03 pm

    It’s nice that the routine is beneficial to both of you and his future wife will thank you some day when she has a husband who actually empties the dishwasher.
    Julia recently posted..I Am (Poem)My Profile

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  6. Melanie
    Twitter:
    says:
    July 19, 2012 at 6:13 pm

    I love to find a fellow child exploiter. The kids’ chores make us all happier – even if the kids don’t really think so. But seriously, they fight less, whine less, complain to me less (because they know I’ll give them extra chores), and our home is a nicer place to live. What’s not to like?
    Melanie recently posted..Our Popcorn ObsessionMy Profile

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  7. Maggie S.
    Twitter:
    says:
    July 19, 2012 at 9:35 pm

    We reeeeeeally need to get back to the routine around here. I think I’m gonna set August first. Boot Camp Day.
    Maggie S. recently posted..Writer’s Workshop: Back In TimeMy Profile

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  8. Awn says:
    July 20, 2012 at 12:47 am

    I grew up doing chores and I turned out great! I still hate to vacuum but I guess some things never change. My grandparents also knew the value of chores…they used to pay us kids a dollar to pick up the thousands of cigarette butts from their driveway. Oh wait, maybe they just knew the value of child labor? :)
    Awn recently posted..Closets of the Heart….againMy Profile

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  9. Angela says:
    July 20, 2012 at 12:48 am

    My question: do you rent him out?

    Reply
  10. Michelle says:
    July 20, 2012 at 2:41 am

    Great idea! This is a great example of helping our kids use their strengths…and isn’t it great that it helps you too!:)
    Michelle
    http://normalchaosforamultitaskmom.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-beauty-of-rose.html

    Reply
  11. Mary Nelligan
    Twitter:
    says:
    July 20, 2012 at 3:11 am

    I love this win/win solution. Apparently I’m the only one with OCD in my household. I have a house full of generous people who hate lists. No matter how many lists I put together, I’m the only one who follows them. I need some of your genius, mama! Thanks for sharing! Exploit away …
    Mary Nelligan recently posted..Projections & (Potter)moreMy Profile

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  12. Kristen says:
    July 20, 2012 at 8:59 pm

    My girls have been stepping it up this summer too. I never realized that not only did they crave learning structure in the summer but just structure in general. They actually like having a routine.
    I’m glad it is all working out for the both of you!
    Kristen recently posted..A Birthday Tribute to Shell of Things I Can’t SayMy Profile

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  13. Madeleine
    Twitter:
    says:
    July 20, 2012 at 9:39 pm

    I am seriously impressed. Like, really, really impressed. Your son is going to make the woman of his dreams very happy!

    Exploitation? Not at all. Sounds like the structure of chores is a perfect match for him.

    Reply
  14. Anna says:
    July 21, 2012 at 12:56 pm

    You’re not taking advantage, you’re totally highlighting his talents. It’s a sign of a good mom who recognizes and encourages her kiddo’s strength. So Good for You! And win win that you’re getting help around the house. You give me home for my future. ;)
    Anna recently posted..Drink Up | Printable Water Tracking ChartMy Profile

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  15. Not a Perfect Mom says:
    July 21, 2012 at 6:17 pm

    my boys have chores, but I wish they loved them, would my my life easier…and I hate those two things too, you’re so lucky….I would totally do what you’re doing
    Not a Perfect Mom recently posted..The Fattest BridesmaidMy Profile

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  16. Erin says:
    July 22, 2012 at 11:01 pm

    Sounds like a win/win situation to me!
    Erin recently posted..Movie Review ~ Magic MikeMy Profile

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  17. c @ annuary chit
    Twitter:
    says:
    July 24, 2012 at 6:22 am

    sounds like a good start for a future of good habits! we had chores as kids but i don’t think i ever did that well. plus, it’s great that you gave him chores that would work best with him.
    c @ annuary chit recently posted..Baby Steps: Push Up ChallengeMy Profile

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