Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Let freedom ring

Take a moment to consider this photo...



You probably think it's merely a photo of a little boy letting a cat outside, right?

Wrong.

This photo is a powerful symbol of freedom.

Freedom from constantly getting up from my comfortable spot on the couch. Freedom from constant mewling and interruptions.

Freedom from Horace's tyranny.

And you know what makes the freedom even sweeter? Graham loves letting Horace outside. Loves it.

"Horace is my best friend," he says as he runs for the door. "It's for me to do, it's for me to do."

Fine with me. The way I see it, it's a win-win situation. Horace is indulged, Graham is happy.

And mama is free.

Now if I can just convince Graham that yard work, dirty dishes and laundry are also for him to do.

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40 comments:

~Swankymama said...

I am working on freedom of laundry right this minute! :o)

Aunt Becky said...

Ah, but it will happen, DMD. I promise. Perhaps begrudgingly, but who cares?

the planet of janet said...

score!!!!!

Miss Lisa said...

Now convince him how much Horace loves a clean litter box ;)

Melisa Wells said...

Don't worry...it'll happen!

I vividly remember, as a kid, my parents saying to me "YOUR dog has to go outside."

I swore I'd never do that to MY kids. But guess what?

THEIR dog has to go outside. :)

Just wait til Graham can go to the store for you! It's an unbelievable thing!

tommie said...

Oh yeah, I can hear the angels singing now.

I love it that the kids (ages 4 and 5) can do so much now. They do dinner "maps"...dispose of uneaten food, put in dishwasher, etc..can make their own beds, get dressed (if I lay out their clothes each night).

Pretty soon, I will just have to chauffeur them from place to place!

Magpie said...

Oh, that day will come!

flutter said...

this made me howl

Anonymous said...

Total score for you!!! Oh how I loved it when my kids could open the door and let the dog out. And ESPECIALLY loved it when they could take their own baths . . . I don't know why, but I'll do laundry any day over giving the kids a bath . . . ya, weird . . . I know.

Amy said...

What really rocks is when they can get up and make their own breakfast on the weekends. Pouring that milk - ahhh - it's awesome! Popping those frozen waffles in the toaster -- YES!

for a different kind of girl said...

Wait! They can be taught to run to the store?! That idea has made me swoon!

Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing] said...

We've found "fetch me a beer" brings lots of joy to my husband & my girls.

Anonymous said...

Good luck with that - let me know the secret when you find it!

Laura said...

So true!!!!

Kelly O said...

Yes, totally! (And that picture is insanely cute.)

Jess said...

Hurrah for DMD! And next up...the vacuum! (Seriously. Most kids loooove the vacuum.)

Horace must be ecstatic!

InTheFastLane said...

Freedom sounds wonderful! I will have to come up with some freedoms at my house.

caramama said...

Letting the cat outside is a great start! Soon, you will have more and more freedom, I'm sure! You are giving me such hope for the future when my little one is older! She already tries to pick up the dog bowls full of water to put it on the counter (which is where we keep it when the dog isn't drinking so it's out of her unstable reach). I can't wait until she can let the dog outside!

Heather said...

I love that my kids are big enough to help with some things. Fabulous.

Beck said...

I am totally NOT letting my cats see that picture. They have no idea that some lucky cats get to roam around outside instead of sticking around the house and peeing on the towels.....

Bird's Eye View Photography said...

Oh yeah-- I love how much Henry likes to do the things I don't.... like folding towels. HE LOVES IT!

MarĂ­a said...

You know what's even better? When you have another baby - Graham will be old enough to help with that too! It totally takes a load off because they are so eager to assist! :)

Kayris said...

My son begs me to let him mop the floor. He loves to help fold washcloths and dish towels. Both kids fight over the toddler sized broom. Just wait. You can put him to work yet.

Kat said...

Hahaha! That's awesome!

organicyogamom said...

This made me laugh out loud because I knew the minute I saw the photo that it had somethign to do with the child getting old enough to do things - it's a curse and a blessing all at once isn't it!

tracey.becker1@gmail.com said...

Hell YEAH! What a sweet boy...

Kamis Khlopchyk said...

I see the freedom! It is so liberating when they can start to do some of the everyday things...we have just got our boys cleaning up their dishes after meals...I do a happy dance every time!

Stomper Girl said...

Oh it's so good when they get helpful! I've been able to ask the 7-year-old to FEED THE CAT FOR ME!! Bliss.

Parent Club said...

I LET my bigger Thing 1 climb on the counter to get dry cereal for a snack. Could fall. Yes. But could succeed too. She's big enough to try.

One never knows what a kid can do until you let them try...(while you are watching of course)

Mighty Morphin' Mama said...

Gotta love preschooler helpers!

Cheffie-Mom said...

What a big helper! I can't wait to see the pics of little man helping with the laundry! (:

Valarie said...

Ha! I always get excited when my children hit the age where they can walk the just changed, dirty diaper to the garbage instead of me!

MommyTime said...

Oh, I love this. My son just got strong enough to managed to open our back door, which is a very heavy slider. He and his sister fight over who will feed the dog in the morning. It's wonderful. Happy freedom. :)

Damselfly said...

Our son is two, and my husband is already looking forward to when the boy can mow the lawn.

Unknown said...

Tee hee! What a cute post! :) Those two are adorable! Wow...didn't realize how tall Graham looks!

Karen said...

I love it!

~*Jobthingy*~ said...

hee hee! i love it. his little job.

Speedy like to swiffer.. has since she was about Grahams age actually adn is still doing it. get hime one and see if he likes it.

Blog said...

Oh my gosh, tyrant or not, I love that cat! Wow.... Beautiful.... :)

Unknown said...

Oh, God bless him! : )

Jaina said...

What a sweetheart. You really have a great little guy there. :)