I’ve noticed a growing trend. There has been a very popular phrase around my house the past few months. It starts with “Will SOMEBODY….” You can fill in just about anything you’d like after that:
- Will somebody turn on the light?
- Will somebody turn off the alarm?
- Will somebody put away my blanket?
- Will somebody get me a fork? -When everyone is already sitting around the table-
- Will somebody get the ketchup? -Again, no one is in the kitchen. We’re all at the table-
- Will somebody hand me the remote?
- Will somebody put my shoes away? -They’re 3 feet from where they need to go- kick them in place if you have to!-
And one of my favorites:
Will somebody tell someone else something, even though I could tell them myself?
Of course that’s not how they word it. It sounds more like this:
“Mom, will you tell him to stop putting his coat on my hook?”
or
“Mom, will you tell her to put her sweatshirt away? She left it on the couch.”
After I noticed this I challenged myself to stop saying “Will somebody” and start saying “I WILL”. More than verbally saying that, I’m adopting a spirit of GIVING and DOING in this house. I’m challenging my family to start saying and doing the same thing.
What trends are going on in your house? As the parent, you have the power, right, ability, authority, and opportunity to change the negative trends, and implement positive trends.
DO IT!
It’ll be fun. maybe. hopefully anyway! Okay, even if it isn’t “fun” it’ll be good for everyone.
Now I’m not saying we can’t ever say “Will somebody”, because being a family is being a part of a TEAM. We all need each other, and sometimes you’ve just gotten settled into your favorite spot on the couch, with your favorite cozy blanket that you didn’t even know you needed until you found it on clearance at Target, and you need to shout out “Will SOMEBODY grab me the remote?” Even if everyone else in the house is on a different floor than you and occupied with other things, you just “NEED” them.
The Mindy Project on your Hulu queue can’t wait, and you could use a real team player to help you out. Occasionally, that’s okay. I swear it is.
Do everything in moderation, folks. What I’m saying is this- Mostly do it yourself, and adapt the attitude of helping others, before they ask. Then occasionally accept (ask for) help.
Family=Team
Family=Love
Family=Someone getting the remote that is 10 feet from you, even if they’re over 50 feet away from it when you ask.
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