I took my kids to Walmart the other day. As we walked back and forth along the aisles I observed a new behavior not seen out of my children before. It sent chills down my spine. My daughters were insisting on putting things back where they belonged on the shelves. This amazed me, especially coming from the redhead who NEVER wants to pick up. After about the fifth time of ‘Daddy, can we put X back’ I had to ask if they were feeling okay.
My oldest responded, “Why did you ask that?”
I told her that they didn’t want to pick up at home, so why start in a place where the people were actually paid to do so. We then discussed what was different about being at Walmart and being at home. Since my oldest is still only eight I did not get constructive answers from them. It did make me wonder what I could do to help foster this behavior. I came up with the most obvious choice, one that will be painful to transition to, but should solve the whole pick up problem. I am officially requesting that Walmart open a small location here in my house. It doesn’t have to be staffed since my kids will help stock the shelves. I know, you are thinking how brilliant this parenting spin is, and I can only agree. Next on my list, getting them doing lawn work by opening a small “flower shop”. I just hope Walmart doesn’t mind the competition on its front doorstep.
Never Short On Words 