My niece Chakara recently spent the weekend with me and one of the things I noticed was how helpful she was. She willingly helped me prepare breakfast and clean up afterward. She was also willing to assist me with whatever chores I was doing (during commercials of course)Why is it that most little girls love to assist with cleaning, cooking, baking and anything that helps to the point that they sometimes get in the way but, fast forward a few years to when they become teenagers the same work that they nagged Mommy or Auntie to allow them to assist with now becomes drudgery? It’s now something to complain about and sulk over.
A girl should have her full share of responsibility in the home. She should go about her work willingly, not as if it were an irksome duty which she was ill-disposed to perform.
Mable Hale, Beautiful Girlhood page 121
Girlhood years are supposed to prepares you for womanhood. The a
ssistance you give at home during that time between girlhood and womanhood prepares you for when you are on your own, whether it’s your dorm room at college, your first apartment or when you have a home and family of your own. The ability to cook and clean doesn’t suddenly appear when you become an adult. It is developed during your girlhood and teenage years.When I was growing up and I didn’t want to do my chores, my mother would always start in on me, “Girl, how you going to make it when you have your own house? If you don’t learn how to clean, people won’t be able to get into your house because the dirt will meet them at the door.”(Yep, my mother was not known for mincing words). Believe me, I didn’t have a choice, I learned to clean.
I’ve never found anything particularly glamorous or pleasant about cleaning chicken, peeling potatoes, washing dishes or scrubbing a toilet but they’re tasks that have to be done if I want to eat and live in a clean environment, (and I like doing both). So I try to do these things with a good attitude because, what’s the point of making myself miserable over something that has to be done?
During this summer, why don’t you surprise your parents? If you’re not your usual charming self when you have to do household chores I challenge you to try something different this summer. Assist more at home without being asked. Also, for you older teens, cook a meal for your parents to come home to instead of waiting for someone to come home and cook for you. Go ahead… I dare you, and do feel free to write in and tell me about your summer of helpfulness.GT Jun/Aug '08
Read The Woman You're Becoming part 1 here
