Those Pesky Piles

One of my very favoritest movies of all time was the 2003 Cheaper by the Dozen. We went as a family to see it in the theatres, which was a huge treat in itself. When the picture had barely even started to roll I started to laugh like a looney chuckle quietly. Dw even leaned over and said, “Linny you are the only person laughing in the whole place.” I couldn’t help myself.

The thing that I noticed immediately were the piles – everywhere. I mean everywhere. Did you notice it too? When Dw had interrupted my joyous observation I responded, “Babe, LOOK! They have piles everywhere! Just like at our house…”
Yes, that pesky pile thing. It haunts me day and night. Now in my defense and to be perfectly honest, I used to be a neat freak. Really. I was uncomfortably neat and tidy, probably almost to OCD. Infact when we were first married I distinctly remember a friend of mine named Lynne coming to visit and she said, “Linn, your house is so clean and everything in such perfect place that it makes me uncomfortable.” If only Lynne could see my house now!!

Piles and chores just seem that much bigger with each child we have (happily) added. I also have this theory that if the chores are taken care of by shorter people then the piles can be tackled by the boss-lady. Now if you are thinking that I am totally delusional, please don’t burst my bubble – just cheer me on!

But the big question that loomed on my plate is this: How to do the chore thing? We have had all types of chore schedules over the years. Simple ones, elaborate ones, easy ones, store bought ones filled with incentives, etc.

And on a little sidenote here: Yes, the kids are okay with doing chores. Yes, they each have been doing lots of chores since they could basically walk…. (so please no emails with what a lousey parent I am just now starting to do chores with the kids)……

To the overwhelming majority of you that I call my friends….for a point of reference….I do from time to time get critical emails and comments (good reason to have comment approval on) from people who think that I am not a good parent or you name it!…..And yes, it always dumbfounds me that people who don’t really have personal relationship with me would feel obligated to criticize me just because I write about our lives on a public blog…..come on people now – the beauty of America is that no one is forcing you to stop by A Place Called Simplicity……I mean, really, what type of person does that?? They must be the same people that walk up to total strangers on the street and say, “Your shirt doesn’t match your pants…” One lady even wrote and after “enlightening” me on what she thought of me said, “I don’t expect my email address to appear on your blog.” Oh my!! I would never!! But I might email her address to anyone who privately asks for it… LOL

But yes, the kids have been doing chores from Abigail on down…..Back to today…I had a family meeting (minus the boss-man) with the kids and discussed the piles and the chores and the stuff that makes a large family run. We threw out a bunch of idea and came up with a simple system and amazingly one that we haven’t tried before. We implemented it immediately and each of the kids remarked how clean and nice the house looks.

Of course we had to figure a way to get it started…assigning who gets what?? So I said we’ll put it in a basket and pick. The next question: Who would pick out of the basket first? I went over to the kitchen and wrote numbers and folded the little slips of paper. I lifted the basket over their heads. Immediately the questions started: What does a 2 stand for? What does a 1 mean? etc. I said, “Those are the numbers for who picks first!” We all started to laugh. I disappeared to the kitchen counter again. This time I held it over their heads and again they drew another set of little folded papers. Again, “What’s a #3 mean? etc. I really started to laugh. “It’s who gets to draw next time in number order.” They were all laughing. I then did it a third time. They thought it was pretty funny. Finally though they drew the real chore lists out of the basket and the real fun began!! My house is pretty clean and I’m off to tackle a pile. =)

28 thoughts on “Those Pesky Piles

  1. Linn I just don't understand from what I know of you from your blog and church how anyone could have one negative thing to say about you! I think you are just so sweet, loving, caring, and compassionate I just wanna squeeze you! Sometimes I ponder how to be more like you, because I know in being more like you I'd be more like Christ. That sounds silly … you aren't my idol or anything, but I do truly adore you! :o) The church and seeing you and Dwight's lives as you have allowed me through church and your blog has brought me joy and hope and I am so thankful!

    Michelle

  2. I love that movie too!!!

    OK, don't tell Rett I told on her but she would be the one to tell someone their close don't match.

    I need to figure out the chore thing too. We are getting piles and we are only at 3 (praying for more).

  3. I like it!!! And for people who don't think you have some kind of chore system…they must not have a large family! All I'm saying is it is a necessity! Oh yeah, we have one that works, and hey, whatever works. Sounds like a good idea to me! I might steal it.

  4. that movie is responsible for my decision to go from 2 kids to 4! they made it look so easy…

    I like the Duggar's (I know) idea of having "jurisdictions" that each kid is assigned to. Can't say that I've implemented the idea, but it's a goal!

  5. I love that movie too! It's one of those rare times I think the re-make is better than the original. I wanted to offer you comfort and encouragement – I have only three children and I have piles everywhere. I think my piles have piles. 🙂

    My kids are 7, 5, and 3.5 and I know I don't ask enough of them, but it's because getting them to clean up always ends up with me getting frustrated. How do you get cooperation, dare I even desire cheerful cooperation?

    Your blog is an institution of higher learning for me!

  6. I battle the piles too. Then I will get fed up with myself and spend a day sorting, filing and shredding. Only to do it again the next year.

    I know what you mean about nasty comments. I mean, no one is forcing you to read. Whenever I post a recipe for a sweet like cookies or brownies, I get comments about me being fat and obese. Ironic considering I don't post pics of myself on my blog. As much as I try to brush them off, rude comments always sting a bit.

  7. Oh man, I feel your pain! I have piles, too. We just had to put our house up for sale and my worse problem was WHERE do I put the pile? There just isn't a home for them. We had realtor tour this morning, so I had to deal with the piles. Let's see…some went in the pantry…some went in the car…some went in the dryer…hehe (The dryer can be hazardous if you accidently turn it on with a pile of papers inside. And never use the oven for piles…)

    I don't get people who criticize either. What's up with that?!?! Just go read a different blog for goodness sake!

  8. you're not the only one with piles and I only have 5 kids. Let us know your new method, I still don't have a method to keeping the house neat. I just randomly assign chores throughout the day…no it doesn't work too well.

  9. HUH??? You mean piles can really go away!!! Please do tell of your plan and how it worked. My hubby would be ever so grateful. He comments on occsasion about my piles that just somehow show up. 😉 Loved your post. Cheaper by the dozen was awesome and now I'm going to have to go watch it again just to see the piles. Have a great week!
    Tammy

  10. This is funny that you would post about piles tonight because I am a little overwhelmed at how messy our home is with piles everywhere! I try to organize and have it down for about a day. Then these piles start appearing again!! How can that be!
    I swear they multiply when we are asleep.

    Well, good night. I am off to sleep. I wonder how many more things will appear tomorrow! LOL.

  11. It sounds like you came up with a perfect plan. Not that any plan with a household as big as yours can ever be perfect. Something that works well now, might not later, but that's OK!!!! You will come up with a new plan!!!
    Kathie

  12. I think you will get a lot of comments on this one (nice ones!), because I think this issue is one that most of us struggle with! I like your new plan, and I think I will try it too! It sounds kind of fun (if chores can be fun.) The other day my boys were out cleaning up the dog doo. One of them came in and said, "Mom, we cleaned up a lot of poop…and you know? I'm kind of starting to think it's fun!" Now there's a good attitude!

  13. Linny those who leave nasty comments are a dime a dozen. You're one in a million.

    We have chores here too and our 3 kids all have disabilities. it's part of being a family. I'm glad you were able to figure it out to suit your family. Heavens, if the kids don't have chores how will they survive in an adult world as adults. Great job!!
    Hugs..

  14. I really appreciate your post today…. I've been watching my piles grow, and I only have 4 kids. I've been feeling overwhelmed by it all too, but I think I"ll just embrace mine too…. at some point it will just be me and my husband and my house will be clean, but then it will probably be too quiet too…

    As to the amazing comments people leave, I get emails periodically from people who have a child like mine (1/2 a brain due to surgery for Rasmussen's) and quite a few have told me that I'm faking how much she can do because it just isn't possible for their kid. My response is they just don't get how much teaching independence does for a kid… I think you are definitely teaching that to your kids…. who cares if your pants match if you're having fun!

  15. Oh, how cool! My kids are 18, 15 and 3. I have done the drawing a chore out of a basket with the older two for years, and they still love it! It makes chores more like a game! Well, just this evening, my sister-in-law said she liked my "chore game", and tried it with her boys today. They thought she had lost her mind at first, but then it became fun to them also. Good luck! You might find they really love it, too! You made my day! I have really been "bummed" lately with my "piles". It's nice to know that others have piles, too!
    As always, you blessed my heart!
    Blessings,
    Traci

  16. Linn, thank you! I needed to hear other mothers are dealing with piles. They are getting to me here too. My dad says mine are the only kids he knows who have chores(I am pretty sure he is saying it as a compliment hmm. .) We have tried every method known to man(or woman). I have finally come on to a system that works for us well. We get the cheap 1.00 4x 6 photo albums. The blank 4×6 cards. Bigger kids get more chores, littler kids get fewer. I choose, but ask sometimes for input. I write out chores on the cards(ok so this part can be time consuming, but there are big kids who like to write out things!) For instance: big kid 1
    get up
    eat
    empty dishwasher
    feed cats
    school work
    (These are before lunch things)
    a little kid one will have pictures since they can't read. So they flip their charts after they do the things. Now we are to the point that they don't have to see them, they just know and do. Every so often we exchange chores(swap the cards!!) or we assign a new one. Or if a kid has disrespected a brother or sister he has to do one of their chores to be nice and show repentance. 😉 It helps to keep things "maintained" and yes, now I must deal with the piles!! Cause those aren't in anyones book! Drats.

  17. Our family…much smaller than yours…implemented "family clean time" after I realized I wasn't supewoman.

    It's pretty simple. We set a timer(no more than 1 hr…usually less) and we clean working together room by room even their bedrooms and ours. Sometimes we work in pairs.

    Each child and parent is allowed one thing they don't like to do (dusting, vacuuming etc) and they never have to do it. Everything else is fair game.

    When the timer goes off…we're DONE! It's made the piles more manageable and the work easier.

    If the house is starting to look dishelveled, we set the timer (sometimes 15 minutes does the job) and we pick up the piles.

    I figured 4 people ( much more for you) times 15 minutes = 1 less hour I would be cleaning alone.

    It's also great family time!

  18. I can't imagine someone criticizing you for having your kids do chores. (And yet in reality, maybe I can!!) My grown boys were like every other kid and complained about having to do things "that nobody else had to do." Interestingly, when they went into the military, two of them told me that they really knew how to work, whereas some of their friends were struggling and didn't have a clue. So – in the long term I guess they called me blessed! – lol!!

  19. Hey, Linny, we are constantly looking for new ideas on chores. Tell me, why is it that a 13 year old must be reminded every day that they own a toothbrush and it is for using?!? That's not even a chore; that's personal care! Then there are the chores: no fair; that's her job; I always have to do that ….
    Do you go through that, or is it just me? We've had lots of family meetings (just before Mom totally loses her mind and perspective) where I remind the kids that every size family can function well only if everyone pitches in, yadda, yadda. I think we'll try the basket idea, and I'll go work on another pile too! Great post. I soooo get the pile thing!
    Hugs to you!

  20. I'm so happy to know that I'm not the only one with piles everywhere!!! Your post has set me free!!! And I say that with all of the Southern drawl left in my little heart:O)

    Do share what new system you have come up with. Our current one is no longer working and is in serious need of some overhauling. I'm not sure if I mean the house or the attitudes that need the overhaul. You pick, on any given day it could be either one, hee hee!!

    I love your blog Linny, you inspire me daily and sometimes hourly. I love your heart for the Lord and desire that my life would honor and glorify Him too.

    Does your sweet DH happen to be the pastor of the Foursquare church in Durango? If so(funny thing) my dad was the assistant pastor there YEARS ago when I was in second grade.

    I too have walked through a house fire when my DH and I were missionaries with YWAM. I was 8 mos pregnant with our second child and it was devastating. Unfortunately for us, we walked out of missions a few months later due to many, many unforseen circumstances that Satan brought about to take us out. The fire was just the beginning. I've been praying for your family as you have gone through all of these trials and have loved watching the amazing way God has moved and worked to begin restoring all that was taken from you in the fire.

    He has done great things in our lives since, and we pray that one day He will send us back to the mission field. Thank you for sharing your lives with us!!

    Jenn

  21. I have to laugh!!! I am sitting here reading your blog with the biggest pile of laundry needing to be folded on the couch! The 3 year old likes to help with the folding but she is particular about what she folds… only hand towels washcloths and dora undies!) I seem to just move the piles of stuff around!
    I too used to be an absolute neat freak. OCD ADD you name it! The MS took care of alot of that. I can't even wring out the mop now. Oh Darn!
    As far as your crazy emailers let us at em! I can't imagine anyone feeling the need to say stuff like that let alone saying it out loud!
    If it helps, You are my hero! The way you share your life with us is such a blessing and the Lord has really used you in my life! To most people this seems strange but thats how our Awesome God works!

    If you want your posse to handle the questionable comments just let us know!)
    Sheri

  22. Linny- Thank you for your courage. Thank you for sharing who you truly are- Thank you for being you.

    I LOVE coming here and reading and sitting and worshiping(love your music)

    Thanks for the stories- for bein vulnerable and for showing us grace and mercy.

    God Bless you and YIPPEEE Jesus!

  23. First of all that is my favorite movie, too!! My family thinks I'm nuts but I just get a kick out of all those kids and chaos!!

    Secondly- Piles- I have them, too… many piles… piles on top of piles begin to look like mountains! I hope to tackle a few of them soon. One month we completely forgot to pay the bills (they were in a pile) We thought it was kind of funny ;-), but not every body thought it was funny ;-c

    Thirdly-I do NOT like to be criticized on my blog and I have gotten what Lori calls "spanked". I didn't appreciate it and the comments where not helpful in any way. They were unnecessary. I need to review comments too before this happens again.

    Fourthly ?? Is that even a word?
    Chores and kids.. it is ever changing. I have tried to have it ultra organized- it usually doesn't work that well but we just keep trying different angles. Our Sarah (9) makes her bed better than her sister Kate (23).

    Love ya!

  24. this is my favorite, and im sure you love it too.

    do you think it is responsible to have all those children?

    HA hahaha.
    im with ya sister

    and ps…. i love our piles!

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