Every few days, I take on the tedious chore of laundry. I divide. I conquer…er, wash. Then, I dry and then I fold. In that order. In fact, I’ve taken to folding laundry in Lorelei’s room as she plays. I’ve heard that if a child sees you doing household chores and doing them enthusiastically, they are more apt to do them. They also say that a baby’s age is like a sponge.

Lorelei, write this down:

“First, you take the article of clothing (I say with a huge fake grin on my face…I’m pretending I’m having loads of fun) and then you fold like so. See?”

She stares at me and then gives me a big toothy grin.

“Exactly. Here, you try.” – I say as I push the laundry basket towards her.

She looks at the laundry basket. Then at me. Then, back at the basket. I can see the wheels working. She reaches into the basket and holds up T-shirt.

“Good job!” I exclaim and clap my hands. “Yay!”

She drops the shirt and her hand goes back into the basket.

“Wait, Lorelei! You have to do this…watch (I say as I try to demonstrate this whole folding process once more).”

I look up. Half the basket is now empty. Wait…where’s Lorelei?

Oh.

There she is.

“Um, I just folded all of those, Lorelei!”

Crap. I didn’t teach her how to do laundry. I just taught her how to undo laundry.

Dang! -So now, who’s going to help me with all the laundry?

Well, dear. If anyone can pull off wearing 4 pairs of pants, 3 tops, and a hat all at once…it’s you.

Welcome back!