I’m not sure if it is toddlers in general or just him, but Monkey loves helping. He can be getting in the way and under my feet but if I give him a job to do, he is so excited. He doesn’t always actually help that much but it certainly keeps him busy while I am getting something done, and he does look cute while he is helping! Plus I figure it helps him learn life skills. For example he likes cleaning up after himself when he has spilt something on the floor or on the table.
So anyway we were doing some tidying in the front garden last weekend, which involved a bit of chopping but mainly weeding. Rather than Daddy doing it all and me trying to entertain Monkey elsewhere, we figured we could get Monkey involved. His Granny & Granddad bought him some gardening bits for his birthday, which have mainly been used in the sand pit so far, and it felt like the perfect opportunity to do some gardening with them!
I was lopping bushes as it meant I could be standing still for the most part, while Daddy was weeding, and Monkey was helping Daddy. He was very cute and shouting “mo wee” “mo wee” (more weeds, at the moment we only have the 1st syllable of most words!!) and trying pull up weeds with his bare hands – we need to get him some gardening gloves but as it was managed to keep him away from any of the prickly weeds!
It’s not just weeding he likes to help with though, at a friends house one day Monkey and his friend were being very helpful watering the new turf that had been laid. Monkey in charge of a hose is a slightly scary sight and I may have gotten sprayed a bit, by both kiddies, but thankfully it was hot and we soon dried off!
And on another occasion Monkey helped us wash our cars! I’m afraid to say we are very very lazy when it comes to car washing, we’ve had hubby’s car about a year and that was the first time we ever washed it, and I think my car may have been washed once or twice since Monkey was born… though I’m not really sure. Anyway they were very much in need of a clean, and Monkey was only too happy to help 🙂
He can only clean up to a certain height…. and actually found it most entertaining to hold a sponge and watch all the water fall on the floor rather than use it to clean, but hey the cars got cleaned and he was kept busy so what more could you ask for?
How do you get your kids to “help?”
Aah this age is the best! Sasha is also 26 months, and she too loves cleaning up after herself post-meal (she won’t actually let me help her wipe the table, fine by me!), and watering the garden with the hose. I’m wondering what age this helpfulness stops?! Lovely pics 🙂
haha I love that, it is great isn;t it and definitely worth making the most of it!! 🙂 xx
Thats so sooooo sweet, he looks like a really lovely little helper. Our z is the same and absolutely loves hoovering our front room. So I have to stand there whilst he randomly pushes it about and then try to prise it off him 😀
haha I love it bless him, they try very hard but don;t always actually manage to help much! lol xx
I think it’s wonderful that he takes the initiative to help with everything! He’s at the age where everything is fun. It’s a good idea you let him help out with the gardening.
I know sometimes I have to remember to encourage it because he really enjoys it, even if things take longer than if I was just doing them myself! It’s good things for him to learn about 🙂 xx
That’s terrific. As well as being helpful, it’s a great way to bond over common activities. We’re lucky that our kids are the same – the boys are helpful around the house and like to cook, and Kara (also 26 months!) is like a walking, talking dustpan and brush because she will spontaneously pick up anything she finds loose on the floor.
Oh that is good and cooking is a great thing to do with kids too. Aww love how tidy Kara is, I wonder if that tidy streak will always be part of her or if she’ll become a teenager with a messy bedroom! 🙂 xx
Yup, I think it’s toddlers (and even pre-schoolers still) in general that just love getting involved. My girl loves cleaning things in the garden, wiping the table, pushing the mop around the house etc. My nearly 4yo dries the plastic things while I wash up, helps me hoover and does lots of fetching and carrying for me. They also both like to help me tidy if we make it into a race. I’ve been told to savour it as it does not last. 🙁
Oh I love it, and great tips there for getting them involved! Sad to think it doesn’t last though! 🙂 xx
Popping back from the Loud n Proud linky. Thanks for joining 🙂
Aww bless him, so lovely that he wanted to help. Lovely photo’s x
thank you, yeah he loves it at the moment 🙂 xx
Oh it’s so lovely when they want to help at this age, isn’t it? When everything is still very exciting and not a chore. Looks like he actually is helping as opposed to just creating more mess! Lovely moment to be proud of xx
Thank you, it is so lovely, makes me smile so much to see him wanting to help out! xx
That’s so cute! I think a lot of toddlers like to ‘help’ and it’s certainly a great to keep them busy and entertained and allow you to get on with jobs. Make the most of it, it doesn’t last! When they are actually old enough to be able to help and make a valuable contribution, they won’t!
haha I can well imagine that is true, we are definitely making th emost of this very cute phase! xx
It’s great that he likes to help with things – maybe best to make the most of it in the early years as that’ll soon change when the dreaded teenage years come in! Really looking forward to getting our baby involved in everything when she comes along next month, although I’m guessing it’ll be quite a while before she can actually do anything 🙂 #familyfriday
Haha yeah you may have to wait just a little while before she is able to help too much 🙂 but yes I am going to make the most of it while I can as I am sure it won’t last!! xx
Aw thats so lovely, what a helpful little man!! Shame they grow up and the ‘helping’ slips away lol. Saying that, my ‘little man’ is now 10 and he’s been super helpful while I’ve been pregnant bless him!! 🙂
Lianne | TheBrunetteSays…
haha I can imagine it does slip away as they get older! Very glad to hear he has been helping you out lately though! 🙂 xx
What a great little helper you have there. These are some of the best years to get your kids involved with helping whenever they can …. hope it last into teenhood for you 😉
haha I hope so too, though I imagine it will be harder to persuade him to help as he gets older!! xx
Looks like you have a handy little helper there. Take advantage of it now before he decides helping is no fun!
I hope you don’t mind me mentioning but this post would also fit right in on my new #SummerDays linky if you would like to link up 🙂 #FamilyFriday
haha we definitely need to take advantage of that! Ooh no I don’t mind at all, always like to hear about a new linky! Will pop over for a look! xx
Aww, my little man is a similar age and loves to help with everything! #FamilyFriday
ah it’s so cute isn’t it? xx
Awww, lovely post and pictures. It’s a great stage when they want to help and add in their own little ways. Enjoy it and thanks for linking up with #SSAmazingAchievements
Thanks lovely, it is such a cute phase! xx
I love it when kids are young and keen to help out. Lovely post, and glad to see you have a helper there lol. Thanks for linking up again. #FamilyFriday
Thank you, I am making the most of it while it lasts! xx
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