Thursday, January 01, 2009

Service

As mothers we serve our families. Every day. During the holiday season this service is something we take for granted. We're the mommies. Of course we serve our children, our husbands, our parents, our in-laws and sometimes our friends. Who serves us?

It's so easy to caught up in serving others, in particular our families, that we forget what an important lesson it is for our children to learn to serve others. If we always act in service to them, eventually we become servants TO our children. I love my children as much as any other mom, but I never intended to become an unpaid servant in my own home.

This year one of my goals is teaching my children to be more compassionate and helpful in our home. All three boys love to help, but they only like to help with the fun stuff. No one offers to lift a finger when something really boring (or gross) needs to be done. A lot of that is my fault. I haven't expected them to help and so I never ask them for help with a lot of chores. Also, I respond pretty quickly when they have needs but rarely ask them to respond that fast when I need something. I've always assumed that I'm the mommy and it's my job to do most of the work.

It's true. Most of the work is mine. It doesn't have to be. I ran around the entire holiday season like a chicken with it's head cut off doing things for my family (and with my family). Every night I went to bed late and I woke up early in the morning. My family for the most part played, watched television, ate the meals I prepared, and pursued their own interests. In retrospect it would have been very nice if they'd helped in preparing gifts for others, cooking meals, setting the table, cleaning, doing laundry, or generally being of service to the whole family. My husband was wonderfully helpful and cooked dinner for a week and a half straight to allow me time to quilt.

This year's goal: Teach the kids to work in service to their family.

Now, if only I had a plan of action to bring that goal to fruition.

3 comments:

Amy said...

Good thing I came to town and you had a few selfish moments. It was great to see you though, I especially enjoyed our day out, yes it was shopping for the kids, but it was fun, even sneaking in the movie.

Janet said...

I never said I don't have selfish moments... just that very few others in my family seem able to wash dishes, do laundry, sweep floors, vacuum, rake leaves, clean toilets, etc.

It was really fun getting together again(and seeing Twilight). I'm glad you made it home safely!

Amy said...

See I think our comments show the problem with moms, why are we calling our day out a selfish moment? Shouldn't we look at it some other way? Maybe even a way that doesn't imply a feeling of guilt.

Jake camping in the living room

Jake camping in the living room