Warning: Blatent Parental Boast
August 15, 2008 by Marye Audet
Filed under Kid Friendly Recipes
Have I mentioned lately how much I love my kids? How proud I am of them? I see other kids all the time and I am amazed at how much older (and settled) my kids seem to be than they are.
I am really not sure why. Maybe it has to do with being raised in a big family and having lots of responsibility. Maybe it has to do with the fact that, although I am easy going Marc and I have very high standards for our kids. I don’t know, I really don’t.
Since Marc got sick and I have had to work (at home) they have risen to the occasion. Matthew (16) takes care of the outside chores; cleaning the barns, milking, grooming, feeding livestock, repairing fences, keeping inventory on the feed. He is doing dual credits this year, getting his college english, history, and math credits. He splits wood in his spare time for our winter heat. He works on JBQ (a competitive Bible quiz thing the three little ones are involved in) 30 minutes a day with Sean, Nick, and Kyrie. He also gives incredible foot massages. Ethan (14)mows the lawn, helps in the house, and does Bible with the 3 youngest kids. He also takes a turn at cooking as needed. AND gives great shoulder massages. Shiloh (12) handles science with the three younger kids, handles meals as needed, and is a huge help with Kyrie (5). Sean, Nick, and Kyrie have chores too, from cleaning the kitchen to cleaning kitty litter and all of them help to keep the house up.
When Marc and I have to be at the VA for the day, like today, my kids run the show here at home, not only getting their schoolwork done but also handling meals, livestock feeding and cleaning. Totally without supervision.
And in all of that they find time to help others. My sons have been known to help neighbors paint their homes an patch their roofs when they have free time. Shiloh never fails to visit our elderly neighbors every week, taking them a dozen eggs from our hens and often homemade bread she makes herself…or cookies…or…and spending an hour or so talking to them and hugging on them. My kids work in kids church, nursery, and act as camp counselors.
And they find time to refill my coffee cup, or ice water and ask me if I need anything.
In a phrase, they are not self involved. They are mature. They make more mature decisions than a lot of adults I know. Perfect? No. Geeky? Nope. They are all pretty popular with their peers.
Anyway, what has this to do with Baking Delights?
Marc and I left for the VA at 8:30 this morning. We never know exactly when we will get back. Today it was 4 p.m. Shiloh made black eyed peas and rice for lunch as I had asked her to but she also wanted to treat the boys so she made………
All by herself. Perfect. Chewy crust, tender crumb……
And she cleaned up the mess. She is 12 years old. TWELVE.
I walked in the door and the hall and stairs were vacuumed (thanks Matt!), the house was picked up (thanks guys!), and everything was in order. Someone even made my bed.
I love my kids.
Beautiful children! And so responsible. I’m a tad bit jealous of the messages and all the cleaning. But my 13 year old daughter makes cookies. LOL
But her idea and my idea of cleaning up your mess are two different things. We’re working on that!
Psst..Megan..I didn’t say she cleaned it PERFECTLY…..
What beautiful children. I bet its the homeschooling
LOL Karen!
Karen, by the way..how is business going? The restaurant? Email me and catch me up.
Well done on raising such special kids! I am a firm believer in the idea that children (and adults too) rise to meet the responsibilities they are given. If you want to raise adults who are able to take care of themselves and be valuable members of society, let them be valuable, contributing members of the family. I was a single mom for a long time (until I married my amazing second husband) and my boys shared the chores and the fun too.
I think the key to it all is love… it sounds like your children help out of love, because they want to. And you’ve obviously given your daughter the self belief and security and freedom to be able to experiment in the kitchen.
Isn’t that God’s plan for us? Love and security and the freedom that comes from that!
You should be proud and from the picture, they are beautiful as well.
You’ve done a wonderful job Marye, your daughter in the picture looks just like you! I married my second husband 5 yrs ago last month, he had 3 children and was raising them himself after his divorce, these kids have been back and forth between us and they’re mother for the last couple yrs, even though I’ve asked for help in the house, it starts out good for maybe a week and then they don’t do anything. I keep telling my husband he’s not doing them any favors by not giving them responsiblity and making sure they follow through. I worry about what they will be like as adults. Pray for them Marye as they have many issues concerning they’re mother.
lynne- I agreee
earnie-thank you
Bunny-I will! I know that it is hard when you have a divorce situation as well. There is alot of hurt that has to be healed, etc…and inconsistancy between two houses!
Marye, your kids are wonderful and you have every right to brag. I see kids like this frequently in my homeschooling circles and at the homeschooling co-op where I teach. Many are part of large families, but some aren’t. I really feel that learning about life as well as academics, being around people of all ages, learning to interact with ALL members of society, rather than just a pack of age cohort peers, really helps our homeschooled kids to mature.
Congratulations.
I’m proud of your children as well.
I think so jen, so much for socialization…:)
Thanks Jo!
Wow, congratulations on your kids – I wish I’ll have the faith and power to raise mine that way too. I don’t have any yet, though…
You’re doing a wonderful job, keep it going, Marye!
Marye, you have beautiful children!! And the bread, Oh my! She did a wonderful job!!
evi- you will, I am sure!
April- thanks! I definitely appreciate her efforts!