Heyelpful 

My toddler is a helper. Except he can’t say the word “help.” It comes out “heyelp!” For instance, When he hears the dishwasher open, he yells, “I heyelp!” and jumps right in. It has taken some perspective adjusting, but I find myself changing my rote chore moves to accommodate my helper. After years of figuring out the most efficient ways to do tasks, I’m now going in the reverse direction. Having a two year old follow you around with a dust pan and open the trash can for you is not the quickest way to sweep. Nor is having him hand you silverware one piece at a time. Neither is letting him throw individual pieces of clothing into the washing machine or giving him an empty spray bottle and a rag so he can dust too. 

I realized that right now is the time to embrace the extra two minutes a task takes because I’m doing it with him. And the truth is that there is no hurry. He wants to be just like momma and dada, and these days of having a two year old will be briefer than I want to admit. Do I really care if it takes extra time to plant bulbs or rake the yard? For the first time in my life, I can honestly say no.