Entry: Why didn't I think of this before? Apr 5, 2005



 My little children like to paint.  I'm not too keen on it, simply because of the mess and the feeling that I have to stand over them the whole time.  But today, when my 4 year old son asked to paint,  I got to thinking, a la' "Flylady" that I can do anything for 15 minutes.  Or in this case, 30 minutes.    So I told him they could paint for 30 minutes.  We got the stuff out: aprons, plastic tablecloth, and paints.  I was able to get him to agree to the paints that come in bottles with sponge tips - you use them straight from the bottle with the sponge instead of using a brush. 

Usually ds3 and his little sister want to paint picture after picture - and they did do a few today - but knowing that it was going to be for only 30 minutes made it a lot easier on me.  After 30 minutes we cleared up, with no griping or anything.  Those bottle paints sure are a boon too - I had very little to clean up.  And as it was so pleasant, and I know now that there is an end in sight when we paint, I am much more willing to do it again, as opposed to when it was some long, open-ended affair. 

You may think, why the stress?  I don't know, I'm happy with doing other things that bother other mothers, but painting just taxed me for some reason.  At any rate, I will have to look for more ways to apply the philosophy "you can do anything for X minutes...." 

I got some more walls in the bathroom wiped down with bleach solution today.  Tomorrow some dusting I think. We're having a few days off from schoolwork and although I am enjoying the time off too, I'm trying to get a few cleaning tasks done that I normally don't manage during school time.

   2 comments

Rosesandtea
April 8, 2005   12:13 PM PDT
 
Thanks Lea!
Lea
April 7, 2005   03:43 AM PDT
 
Just wanted to say I love the new blog... and great idea with the fly lady/ painting concept...

I'm anxious to hear more about the SAHM thing... I've been one for years and I love it...

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