Focus on the what?

My eleven year old was really working it this morning in regards to his chores... practically the first words out of his mouth were attempting to encourage my adoption of his stellar new plan: in the morning all he should have to do is get dressed and eat his breakfast.

Then, after school all he would have to do is all of his chores, complete his homework, practice piano and trombone and get his reading done.

"Wouldn't that be better, Mom?"

Umm, no.

Later, as he was emptying the dishwasher, he started in again.

"Why do I have to do chores? You make us do way too many chores."

I gave my typical answer...

"Because this is a family. And everyone has to pitch in to make it work. I have chores, you have chores,"

He interrupts: "What chores does Dad do?"

Oh let's see. He works 40 plus hours a week to provide for his ungrateful children. He pays the bills. He keeps Mommy sane. (No small task.) He tries to fix things when they break.

My sweet daughter could tell I was getting frustrated, so in her infinite middle-child wisdom, she took the reins.

"K., didn't you listen to "Chores No More?" (This is an Odyssey recording - little radio dramas put out by Focus on the Family. We have several CD sets that the kids have listened to over and over again.)

K. replied: "Yeah, I heard it."

S. continued. "Well in it it says that we do chores because they prepare us for adultery."

Obviously, she meant adulthood. Right?

I can't imagine Focus on the Family letting that one slip.

Either way, for some reason, K. quit his rampage about chores. The thought of chores actually helping him be a better adult (or philanderer) was enough of an explanation for him and he finished the rest of his tasks without a word.

So this morning, I gotta publicly thank Dr. James Dobson. Because this morning, he brought peace to my household.

Thanks, Jim. Keep up the good work.