So, after 20 years of home ownership and 19 years of parenthood, I think I have finally mastered a way to get someone, anyone, to water the plants besides me. The new program is lovingly referred to as "Adopt A Plant", and the plan goes like this:
You may choose a plant to adopt in the yard--it only needs to be potted. If at the end of summer your plant looks like the day it started (or better), I give you $20. If you kill your plant or it looks like crud, you have to pay me the $20.
See? That's simple enough, eh? And I was all proud of myself for making up that program, thinking that those darn kids will be digging $20, right? Yeah/no.
Colin didn't blink an eye. He just laughed and walked inside. $20 is nothing to him, Mr. I've-got-a-job-on-campus-who-needs-to-help-out-at-home. Apparently watering is not cool or something. Whatever.
But Emma--she was all over that plan. Girlfriend has not only adopted her plant, but all the other potted plants as well. But I have to keep reminding her that I'm only paying $20 MAX. There is no nickel-and-diming me on 40 potted plants around the yard. And still she waters. And waters. And waters. And the flowers look incredible. I may just have to throw in a bonus $5 or something if this continues.
And it's the darnedest thing--she is really proud of her plants this summer. It's like she has taken ownership of their blooms and how lovely they are, while I'm thinking I'm an idiot for not thinking of this 10 years ago.
25 comments:
Oh, you are instilling the love of beauty in your child; and somewhere in the future she will have to dream up schemes to get help with her gardening. Money well-spent.
Doesn't the old German saying say, "We grow so soon old and so late smart?"
Just give someone, or even something, in this case the flowers, a chance to rise to the occasion and they will...
(Sorry about the delete - horrible typing error - I'm on the laptop this morning without the regular keyboard plugged into it - ack!)
Go Em!!!!!!!!! Bonus $5?? I don't think so. Hold the plants hostage, Em!
I've slowly killed the plants at work over the last 8 years I've been there. Only one scraggly one by my desk do I water. The rest errrrrr nevermind, you are obviously a plant lover.
I love having the kids do chores around here and I don't mind paying them a little bit. The teen will begrudgingly mow and that is his only income. Told him that he should get a summer job and he said it would be dumb cause he'd have to quit it for marching band season. DUH! That is why it's called a SUMMER job! He gets by on the skin of his teeth. Just want til his MI buddies want to go grab food after practice OR he wants to date some cute flute player. (He is surprised there are GIRL sousaphone players! LOL!)
Tween is another story. He is motivated and I can pay him to do practically anything. He's trying to save up enough for an Ipod Touch, which we actually already have cause my BIL always finds steals on quality used stuff. He's about $30 short right now and he has a regular mowing job with the neighbor. I noticed that my front planter is WAY overgrown and needs some weeding and thinning. I bet he'll be happy to do it!
I think you are on to something Lin. Sounds like your plan of adopting a plant is working perfectly. At least with your daughter! :)
xo Catherine
Capitalism works every time. :D
What a sweet daughter. :) She deserves a BIG tip (like, maybe the $20 that Colin passed up)!
What a great idea! I love it. I am not sure my older daughter would do it for $20 but I am going to give it a shot.
Hmm - my comment still didn't come out right - there should be an edit function! (That's why I use Disqus now - I can edit!)
Bribery - always good for the pocketbook
Hahah! That's great:) At least you have some help now, and whatever works, right???
It completely cracks me up that they had opposite reactions to your plan!
I love the concept, but in my house it would be like stealing from children.
Slick, Lin. Reminds me of the "Tom Sawyer Fence Painting" episode. Frans Dad BTW, the word verification is FOXHO !
Well hooray for Em. I think she definitely deserves a bonus, maybe even double for being so enthusiastic. :)
Ahhh, good for Em! If I were you, I'd double it for all the work and effort she is putting forth! what a great idea!
Great idea, I will need to steal this one I think! $20 to a six year old would be like hitting the lotto. Maybe I can convince him it will be Adopt A Yard (front, back or side?) If he's smart he'll choose the front, no dog poop. lol
Wonder if that plan works for husbands too? I can get him to water his tomato plants but not my flowers that are right beside them. Somehow I think the barganing chip would have to be something other than money though. :)
I wish my kids would get interested in gardening. They did help...somewhat...put in the vegetable garden but no one consistently waters it. Sure they'll eat the veggies when they start coming, but no one wants to help them get there.
Lola's Diner.
Vanilla--Well, whatever works, right?
Chuck--I think maybe, just maybe, she realizes I need some help too.
Grace--It's a win-win. :)
Helene--I hate houseplants--they take a lot of work and are never really happy. I'd kill them too.
Diana--I think it depends on the kid. While I don't believe in paying for chores, some kids are more willing to help than others and in this case, you get a little bonus.
Catherine--Well, and that is THIS summer. Who knows? I may be back on my own next year.
Rebecca--I dunno. I don't think it works that much with today's kids. I don't think they care much for working to get money--hence my son's attitude. Em gets perks in the form of mani/pedis. :)
Anne--It's all in the approach. I gave her a challenge and she accepted. Let me know if it works for you. I only chose one hanging plant and she took it upon herself to water the other plants too.
Grace--Oh, I haven't found any comment box I really like yet. Ugh.
Pricilla--Well, the yelling and complaining and nagging thing wasn't working. Kids are tough. Ugh.
Nancy--Yep. And I help her out too. I don't leave her hanging on her own. There are days I do it for her.
Violet--Oh, it's always that way. Once after I finished a hand-quilted queen-size quilt, I asked my kids who would like it when I'm dead. Colin asked if he could have the TV instead. Sigh.
DG--Well, see--that's what I was hoping for!! Darn kid is proving me wrong!
Fran's Dad--I don't think they read that in school anymore, Mike. Hahaha! They have NO idea!! :P I like the Foxho--can be many, many things--and none of them good. :)
Ann--Oh, she's got it good. Don't let her think that she's got it rough!!
Tracy--Well, I help here and there AND it rains. It's not like she's breaking a sweat here, pally.
DJ--It started because those darn hanging plants are sooo expensive and I didn't want it to die. Being that I'm working and the kids are home all day, I thought it was a good trade off. BTW--the plant looks FAB!! Let me know if it works at your house.
Beaded Tail--Hahaha! That's exactly what I was thinking when I started to read your comment!! Hahaha!
Lola--Can't they at least turn on the sprinkler?? Criminy, what is with kids?? oh yeah--I was one too. Ooops.
You're killing me friend, just killig me! I would pay $20 to anyone if I was watering flowers to growbig and beautiful, and not squirrel feed. (there I go hating on the squirrels again, lol)
Pretty flowers in Weirville...I'm feeling jealous. Sigh.
Yeah for Emma! That's really good she enjoys watering them now and has taken a genuine interest in them.
Jodi--I'm telling you--you need to invest in some food for those squirrels. If you don't, they find their own. Make friends with the squirrel. Embrace the squirrel. LOVE the squirrel, Jodi. :)
Karen--I think it is an easy job that doesn't take much effort, Karen. AND she gets credit for doing it. I shouldn't complain--they are good kids who help when I ask. I just hate asking all the time!! :)
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