Chores, Justice and Mixed Emotions

So today was launch day for Hope's new Chore Chart.

Emotions were mixed.

Kurt and I were walking around with a bit more bounce in our step at the thought of Hope becoming more responsible and doing a bit more around the house. Hope was walking around with what appeared to be the weight of the world on her shoulders.

Her new responsibilities included emptying the cat box, clearing the dishes after a meal and loading the dishwasher.

Kurt showed her how to do each job and we created a new chore chart for her.

I was in her room putting her laundry away and she walked in, mopey and despondent. She saw me standing there and cut me "the look."

Without a word she began hanging her new chore chart on the door. She asked me "Will Jack have to do chores when he gets older?"

"Yes Hope." I replied knowing where this was going.

She rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath, "yeah right - he won't have to do any chores because I'm already doing everything."

I stifled a laugh, remembering having those same thoughts when I was her age. It was clear she wasn't thrilled with the new arrangement.

She continued her muttering as I left her a room. I could hear her saying, "I don't know what Jack's going to do - there isn't anything left to do - this is so unfair, the cat box is soooo gross..." I made my way down the hallway, rounded the corner where Kurt was standing with a big grin on his face, his eyes bright with excitement.

I thought he was going to say something like, "Our little girl is growing up - she's so responsible now - she's growing up so fast;" you know - all the things that go through a parents mind whenever their child demonstrates that he/she is growing up.

As I got closer, he started jumping up and down, the grin got bigger, he held out his hand to give me a high five and whisper-shouted "no more cat box!"

As I said - it was a day of mixed emotions.