Last weekend we began implementing some self-help life-skills that we felt the kids needed to learn on their way to adulthood. Our goal is to make them self-sufficient and contributing members of our household and eventually, society.But boys have that "Y" chromosome that allows them the ability to walk past, step over, or walk around something on the floor for months, and never, ever think "Maybe I should pick that up". Stuff that is not theirs or needed immediately is on the periphery and it will stay there until they need it or are told to deal with it.
Our goal for #1 was to teach him to make his pasta, which he calls "my pasta with sauce and melted cheese". Although the type of pasta can vary, it has to be the same every time. God forbid you add a meatball.
We have been trying for weeks to get him to do at least one step, but every time, he ran off while saying, "no, you make it." When I told him that I wouldn't make it without him, he replied, "no, it's ok, I'm not hungry." And then I'd find the pretzel jar on the table with a not-so-fine line of crumbs to his chair.
Last week we were determined. I prepped him in the morning and when it was time, he ran away. Once we caught him, we told him we would do it together. Finally he said, "Mom, show me the cook book", he said. Husband brought up a cook book and let him look through it. I then sat down with him and wrote down the steps. And then it didn't look so bad.
We made a list like Special Agent Oso, and it had nine steps.
1) Put water in the pot, add some salt
2) Put pot on stove
3) Have mom turn on gas
4) Wait for water to boil
5) Add Spaghetti
6) Start timer for 9 minutes
7) Drain pasta
8) put in bowl
9) Add sauce and cheese
We labeled which steps he would be responsible for and which ones I was. But I told him we would have to be together to do each step.
Remarkably he stayed with me as we worked down the list. And in the end, we made his pasta and he did it.
Will he be as cooperative next time? Who knows. One victory at a time. Cheers!
