Amish Wisdom!

 

YEARS ago, while canning peaches with my Amish friend Sylvia, I heard her mother use the expression “Many hands make light work.”  Have you heard that one?  I love the way that phrase sounds (it’s soft and playful).  I equally love it’s meaning (the more help the easier and quicker any job can get done). 

As you know we have MANY hands at our house.  They are used for chores AND for <get ready for THIS stroke of genius>  SUPPER PREPARATION! 

I have absolutely NO CLUE why the concept of having children help with supper just dawned on me!  I was noticing that it was a challenge for me to pick the kids up from school at 4:00, get home at 4:30 and then have supper on the table by 6:00.   So,  I asked for some assistance and BOY did I ever get some!  After they are done with their evening chores, they pitch right in with the chopping, stirring, cutting and more!  

I’ve said it before  and I’ll say it again:  Giving children good, solid, meaningful work is such a gift for them!  Their self esteems are strengthened as are their wills.  Plus, it’s a great opportunity to have unstructured conversations and enjoy one another’s company. 

I’m only kicking myself that I didn’t tap into this ‘many hands’ in the kitchen deal before now!