Reinventing the Organic Child

Kevin is a solo fisher, baits his own hooks, frees snags, and ties lures.

Cuz taking trash from our street's storm drains

When we were kids, there was never anything fun to do in and around the house, other than chores and housework, I suppose. But, once that stuff was done, we were gone in an instant, from sun up to sun down. I remember gallivanting my neighborhood either on my way to a friends house, or riding my bike with friends, playing man-hunt, or just up to nothing at all looking for something to get into.  Occasionally, one of the old guys down the street would be working with wood, digging a hole for a new fence post, working on his car, or tinkering in the garage. I would stop by and interrupt his work to ask him what he was doing. That look of “hey kid, can’t you see I’m busy?” came over his face. But, my persistence was unrelenting and he gave in. He slowed down his pace so he could tell me everything about what he was doing.I would grab a board, hold a wrench, climb under the car looking at nothing, and get in his way at every step. He would eventually say “here, take this and loosen that bolt right there.” SCORE! for me! I had no clue as to what I was doing , but he wasn’t telling me to leave, and I wasn’t going anywhere. The same happens right here in our household. Our only boy, Little Kevin (cuz, bubba, L’il Kev, c’mon man!, Kev) is me all over again. He doesn’t only get under the neighbor’s work benches, he clutters mine with tools, tape, glues, models, and anything else a nine year old boy gets into his mind.

Kevin helping Uncle "D" grill grub for the family

Yes, kids can still climb trees

This day and age of video games, computers, internet, streamed movies, mail order movies, iPod’s, MP3 players, cell phones (yes, he has one), comfy couches, and the busy working parents to keep up on all this stuff leads to kids with limited physical skills. Not ’round here. Kevin and Brianna, both help out in the garden, with yard work, chores inside with mom and help take care of Riley (our youngest). Sure, the tasks get the “do we haf to?” reply. The answer is: YES! We believe that every member of any family can be a contributor, no matter the task. Everyone can pitch in at their level. Think of it this way, if you are moving dirt around your yard, and you want your four year old to help (although they may not accomplish much), let him/her use their method of moving the dirt. Albeit, a Tonka truck, skateboard with a bucket, or whatever, let the kid figure out how to do it. Or, step to their level and way of thinking and help them come up with a kid fun way to pitch in.

Stapling chicken wire to the Urban Farm fence

Cuz is a great help to many neighbors. He moves dirt, cuts grass, hauls tree branches, whatever. Yes, I said he’s 9 years old, and he’s been doing this ever since he could walk. Just yesterday we were working on our Urban Farm fence, and Kevin pushed off an afternoon of play with a buddy. He made his first power circular saw cut, shot 1 penny nails from a pneumatic (air) gun, and slung staples from a pneumatic staple gun to attach chicken wire to lower

Flying solo!

region of the split rails to keep out dogs from roaming into the neighbors yard. He was my measure and cut man, offered suggestions as to how we should attach a few of the toe boards between posts, and I took him up on it. Yes, his ideas worked very well.

Tips to get every family member to pitch in:

• Explain that they are a working member of your family
• Encourage your kids to take on small tasks they can handle
• Allow them to come up with the way they want to do it
• If they are old enough to make a mess, they are old enough to clean it up
• Explain the benefit of DIY and that they do have a say so.

Do your kids help out on certain tasks that have been “adultized?” Would you rather your kids hang out on Youtube while you work to keep them out of your hair? Are there daily tasks assigned to each child in your home?

Tags: children, chores, family, farm, food, garden, kids, organic, urban, work