Letters to My Kids – Can You Help Pick Up Around the House?

This is a letter I taped to the fridge hoping my children would read it and grant me my wish…

Dear Kids:

I know it seems rather “old” to write a letter these days, but since I couldn’t find my cell phone because one of you borrowed it to play a game, I will write you a letter instead of texting you all.

I have a wish. Would you mind keeping your stuff picked up around the house?  I feel I am trying to rake leaves in a windstorm. My back hurts from bending over and my feet are bandaged from stepping on Lego’s.  The other day I actually saw a small portion of the kitchen counter and then I blinked and it was covered again. The vacuum coughed last night as it sucked up yet another happy wrist band and marbles and the clothes hamper told me he’s hungry.

Your toys deserve to be taken back to their homes after visiting with you and the dishes are happiest when they are clean and with other dishes instead of being left alone on the coffee table.  Clothes love to be hung up instead of thrown on the floor; it makes them feel secure being so close together in your closet.  Your bedrooms need help as I saw a sock picket line the other day.  The socks are tired of being inside out and separated all over the house.

I feel you are ready for this responsibility.

Love,

Mom

This was the response I received…

Dearest Mother,

Thank you for the note.  Of course we will grant your wish, we love you and we know how much you do for us. We were a little concerned you think the clothes hamper talks.

We would have texted you back but we think we lost your cell phone.  We kept calling the number and a faint ring tone can be heard from the shoe closet, but as you know, no one goes in there.

We picked up all the Lego’s and put them all on the table in the playroom.  We decided to build a fort underneath, with Lego’s as the roof but we needed a stash of food in our fort for when we come under attack, so we put a bag of chips under there. Though last time we looked the chips are gone, we think the dog ate them.

We put the dishes from the coffee table back in the cupboard so they wouldn’t be lonely anymore.  Don’t worry about the clothes as they are back with their friends in the closet and they weren’t on the floor that long.  We also turned all the socks right side out and lined them up under the couch cushions, they will be flat from everyone sitting on them.  We were so inventive!

Our rooms are all picked up.  Who knew you could store so much stuff under your bed?  Since you were concerned with the clothes hamper being hungry, we fed him.  You’ll have to go see what we fed him to believe it.

Also, we talked it over and decided to do something extra for you as a surprise.  We made a milk bath for you up in your bathtub.  We used up the last of the milk and threw the container in the garbage.  Enjoy your bath and relax!  We have everything covered around the house while you are in there.

Love,

Your Kids

P.S.   We drew you a note on your dresser upstairs.  Who knew you could draw in dust like you do steamed up mirrors?

Darn kids…