Learning Patience Never Ends #iPPP

Two weeks ago, Jakah dropped my Nintendo 3DS into the toilet while he was using it. This was the second time it has been dropped into water. The first time he thought he could use it in the bath tub like dad does. (I'd also like to note that both these incidents where on "dad's watch"). Needless to say, it's officially dead this time.

We decided that he needs to earn money to buy a new one. For many reasons, but most importantly because he needs to learn that we aren't just going to buy him new stuff if he breaks it.

So he has been doing chores. Not hard ones, emptying and re-filling the dishwasher, mopping the floors, cleaning the windows, helping with laundry and cleaning the bathrooms. We only do about 2 chores a day, because he is only 4. His attention span doesn't last very long.

And my patience can't handle much more. Teaching him chores has been more work for me than for him. Part of my type A personality has had to let go of control. I have to remind myself that he is only 4, and is learning how to do these things. It's frustrating to let it go. To know that the floor isn't as clean as it should be, that the dishes will still get clean even if they aren't in the exact place they should be.

But I know someday he will get it, and will hopefully make his wife happy by helping out!

He wanted to count his money to see if he was close to buying another 3DS.

Of course he is a LONG way off from the $200, as of now he has earned $5.50. Mostly because I pay him in pennies and nickels. I can still get away with paying him cheaply and he thinks coins are worth more than dollars. (seriously he traded me 4 nickels for a dollar bill because it's more money). He usually earns anywhere from 20 - 50 cents a day depending on how many chores we do or how hard they are. I paid him more to clean the windows.

So we have decided he needs to earn 200 coins. So far he is up to 75 coins. We made him a little chart so he can see how far away he is.

He seems pretty enthusiastic about doing chores and earning money, is learning that it takes work to get the things you want, and I am learning a huge lesson in patience and letting go of the small things.

This is linked up with Greta at GFunkified for her weekly #iPPP