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Dear Dishwasher,
How do I get my teenagers to help around the house. I yell, and I
beg , I plead and protest and then I wind up doing all the work myself.
Advice much needed.
Mom.
Dearest Mom,
I can solve complicated physics problems, get a borsch stain out
of a white shirt, or advise young lovers on a proper course of action,
eradicate guilt, predict the future, and balance my checkbook but as of
yet no one has an answer to your question.
Here's a strategy but only a strategy…not an answer.
Take one space at a time in the house and declare it a Zen space:
the Zen principle used in communal living in monasteries is: "you
leave it like you found it." First you have to get agreement from
everyone. So when someone needs to be reminded it isn't "mom"
demanding it's the rule or agreement demanding. Take yourself out of the
loop; make the relationship between the members of the household and the
principle that you all agree to.
If they insist on living like slobs, get into slacking and wait
till they leave.
The basic thought is to try to move away from authoritarian
leadership into co operative communal living. Try partnerships instead of
ultimatums. Ex: let me help you with your work instead of if you don't
clean this room I'll burn up all your clothes.
Hey, slacking ain't so bad.
your truly,
the Dishwasher More Dishwasher Essays | 
