But four able bodied kids let a 50 y.o. guy shovel for four hours because he didn't ask? And then let him shovel again the next day?
Yes. When you get told your help isn’t needed, then they think it isn’t needed. He refused to ask for their help. He refuses to ask them to do anything. They do chores because I require it. I don’t do outside things, like the lawn or pool or snow. Did that when he was traveling for business but now he’s not. That’s his job.
This is what he’s promoting because he doesn’t want them to do what he thinks is his job. I get that he wants to be everything to them, it’s what dads do. I remember that from my Dad.
So, I told them (as I usually do since I’m always the bad guy/parent) that they had to ignore him and get out there and they were fine with that. And once they knew what happened yesterday, they were more than ready today. People step up, kids step up when they’re aware. I think we do a disservice to kids when we don’t expect the best from them.
They shoveled 2+ feet of snow for us and the widow next door. Cleaned off 7 cars. Even the two who are still teenagers stepped up. And they will when asked. You just have to ask.
I get that my husband wants to be everything to our kids. Like my Dad was to me. He thinks my Dad was the best, and he was.
I’m reliving my childhood. My husband is my Dad and I’m my Mom. LOL.