Yes, I’m talking about the song sung by the famous purple dinosaur of the 90’s – Barney. It was the same song I used for my older children when they were little to help encourage them to clean up their toys or pick up their room.

The “magical” song only lasted for so long and the effect it had wore off sooner than I would’ve liked. After a while, it was like pulling teeth to get them to help put their stuff away.

Through the years their reluctance to help out around the house pushed me to create a chore list, which eventually led to a more systematic way of getting things done. If not everything, at least the important areas of the house; the kitchen, bathrooms, dining and living room.

The bedrooms, well that’s for a whole another post. Thanks to an awesome family friend who had a knack for stopping by at the wrong time, I learned to run around the house and close the bedroom doors when visitors came by without calling.

Well, last week when my little one came home from school, bouncing up and down and asked, “Mom, can I help you do chores?” I was speechless. But that only lasted for about two seconds before I immediately told her yes.

I have to admit I was happy for those two seconds, forgetting what it was like before. Then it all came rushing back killing my temporary dream. Who can blame me, right?  As a mom, it’s okay to be a dreamer – every once in a while. 🙂

Now, my question of the day is…How long will it last? How long will my little one enjoy helping mommy clean-up?

Thinking back to the younger years of my elder children, probably not long. However, she exhibits a passion for keeping things tidy unlike that of her older siblings when they were the same age. So I have some hope that when I ask her to help clean her room, she will do so with the same happy smile she gave me the other day.

If not I will just have to turn on Barney, fast forward to the song and let him work his magic. Oh, yeah, thanks to my older children, I’m ahead of the game.