“Mommy, can I help you?”

“Mommy, can I help you?”
“Yes, baby, you can help me!”

I don’t always eagerly answer this way, but I’m trying to be better. If you’re a fellow mama, you know that “helping” usually comes with a bigger mess than originally planned. Making cookies turns into flour all over everything. Folding laundry turns into jumping in the warm piles of clothes. Washing dishes leaves water all over the floor.

It feels so much easier in the moment to just say “No, not right now. Mommy’s just trying to get this done quickly.” But the second that I say it, I’ve lost an opportunity to mentor that sweet little heart. I’ve dimmed her light, her curiosity, excitement and desire to learn and “be just like mommy”.

I want my kids to grow up to love to cook and to keep a nice home. I want them to learn to serve others and to jump in and help. I want them to learn to do things on their own and do them well, but so many times I struggle to allow them to do this in my home. It may be that I’m trying to control all the situations or it could be that I can’t stand the extra mess. Maybe I’m just not feeling patient enough to take the extra time to teach them what it is that I’m doing.

They’re waiting and they are asking. Our little ones want to be taught. This is the time to teach those little hearts how to help others. Teach them that setting the table is an act of service and that helping Mommy clean the house is being a good steward of what God has given us. Let’s work on having a more selfless mindset when we hear them ask, “Mommy, can I help you?”