Still Working

So the FYB is still getting used to his new chore chart- and to having a chore chart he has to refer to instead of just me reminding him of what he needs to do each day.

One of the chores he and the FYG share is to make their parents' bed. There is a good reason for this- for many years I couldn't make it when I got up because one or both of them had climbed in it during the dark hours of the morning. So we asked them to make it when they got up. For a few years the FYB also slept on a top bunk and he couldn't make his own bed, so I did his and he did mine. Thus, one or both of them making our bed in the morning is a habit of long standing, but the actual chart is a new thing in the land for this young lad.

There is a computer and desk right next to my bed and the last several mornings as soon as I get up I pull out a stack of books to list for sale or trade. I find it easiest to spread them out over my bed, since the computer desk itself is already covered with books on every square inch except the part that's covered by a wooden crate. Which is full of books. There's also a pretty green basket for decoration. Of course, it's full of- but never mind.

So the FYB came in this morning and waved a peremptory hand at my books, saying urgently, "It's time to make the bed. These must go. You can put them back after I make the bed, but I have to make it now."

In the middle of typing a description, I looked at my carefully sorted stacks and groaned. "Honey, come back and do it later, or I'll do it later. I have these sorted and I don't have any room to put them and keep them sorted."

"But Mom," he said seriously, "It's on my list, and I have to do it now!"

I pointed out that I made that list so I know what it says and it did not say he had to make that bed by 8 a.m. There were other things he could do before the bed- like finish swallowing the breakfast he was still chewing and then brushing his teeth. He could take out the trash, make sure the bathrooms all were stocked with toilet paper. He could water the upstairs plants or sweep under the loveseat. He could do everything else on his list before he made the bed. Then he could just come back and do this later or leave it for me to do when I finished my book listings.

He left the room, but he came right back, this time carrying a wooden t.v. tray and stand. He set it up for me and said, "We can put the books here and keep them sorted. But I really need to make the bed now. I already crossed it off my list before I came in here."

I moved the books.