Many of my childhood friends “helped” this way. Their moms called it “getting out from underfoot.” My mom just delegated the housecleaning on her kids while she “ran errands” (drove off in the car and left us to it.) Then she’d come back and yell that we hadn’t done it right or fast enough to suit her.
My father used to give me a chore of sweeping the cellar steps. The steps had little rectangles of carpeting on them, and the dirt & dust would really build up behind them at the joint of the stairs. He told me that, any change I found, I could keep. I would find pennies, nickles & dimes, and the rare quarter. It was many (many, many) years later when I realized that he was probably “seeding” the stairs, but it caused me to do a good, thorough job.
She certainly didn’t have my mom. She’d expect you to help then scream at you for getting underfoot and yell for you to get out of there. Then she’d go look for you and scream that you’re not helping her. It was a no win situation. Worst that ever happened was being told to go clean my room to get out from under her and then being yelled at for being in my room instead of helping clean the living room.
Templo S.U.D. almost 8 years ago
that is quite helpful
jaxxm almost 8 years ago
I try that with my wife but she doesn’t appreciate it. :-)
orinoco womble almost 8 years ago
Many of my childhood friends “helped” this way. Their moms called it “getting out from underfoot.” My mom just delegated the housecleaning on her kids while she “ran errands” (drove off in the car and left us to it.) Then she’d come back and yell that we hadn’t done it right or fast enough to suit her.
bigcatbusiness almost 8 years ago
A lot helps the one who is not in the way. At least that’s what I hear a lot around here.
Chad Cheetah almost 8 years ago
Funny, mostly because it’s true
Wren Fahel almost 8 years ago
My father used to give me a chore of sweeping the cellar steps. The steps had little rectangles of carpeting on them, and the dirt & dust would really build up behind them at the joint of the stairs. He told me that, any change I found, I could keep. I would find pennies, nickles & dimes, and the rare quarter. It was many (many, many) years later when I realized that he was probably “seeding” the stairs, but it caused me to do a good, thorough job.
wjones almost 8 years ago
If I stayed out of my mother’s way, she would wonder what kind of mischief I was getting into.
knight1192a almost 8 years ago
She certainly didn’t have my mom. She’d expect you to help then scream at you for getting underfoot and yell for you to get out of there. Then she’d go look for you and scream that you’re not helping her. It was a no win situation. Worst that ever happened was being told to go clean my room to get out from under her and then being yelled at for being in my room instead of helping clean the living room.