Lion and Magic Boy

Eric has been helping me unload the dishwasher for several weeks now. He stands at the open dishwasher and hands me things; one knife, one fork, one cup or plate, at a time. It’s a good exercise for both of us: as he hands me the item I say its name, which he repeats, or beats me to the punch and tells me what it is as he’s handing it to me. It’s all slightly unintelligible when compared to English, but that’s not the point. The process also lets me slow down a little, setting each item in its place with the care that Eric takes in handing it to me; a good lesson in being in the moment and considering each piece of the day with the same weight and gravity as the next.

Today Eric kicked up his routine to the next level. Having observed me take two large, clean plates out of the dishwasher and place them on the table to later be covered with French toast and maple syrup for Nathaniel’s and Serena’s breakfasts, Eric took a smallish plate out of the dishwasher, toddled over to the table with it, and placed it carefully in the space near mine where plates for his own meals go. I asked him if the plate was for his own breakfast and he grinned widely.

I may have him wash windows or do the dusting soon.

It seems like there is a wonderful window of opportunity with children to get them cheerfully and voluntarily involved with household chores. Waldorf kindergartens make use of this fact and know that children like to imitate the acts they see modeled before them, and every day in each kindergarten there are groups of children busily washing playsilks or folding large cloths or even knitting. I’m thankful that Eric has reminded me in his not-so-subtle way that he really is a Big Boy now and he not only knows what’s going on around him but he wants and expects to be an active part of it.