I was talking to a friend the other day and she was telling me something about one of her kids that caused her to roll her eyes (with a smile) and say, “he’s just not that kind of worker.” She meant that there was a particular job to be done, and she knew that job would have to be delegated to a different kid.
I’ve been thinking a lot about that since. I have a tendency to think all the work should be done by all the kids (all the humans… you know). But I’m rethinking that. I know one kid who resists housework. But she’s an incredibly hard worker when she’s getting paid. Like, she does really difficult and labory things. I know another kid who isn’t too into work that’s physical, but holy cow, watch her figure things out and make them happen.
All that work needs to be valued, because it all needs to be done. (And I do mean ALL. Like, the toilets aren’t going to clean themselves, nor is World Hunger just going to end.) I’ve been working to see and recognize all the efforts, even the lame ones, because effort is effort, and I appreciate it.