Laundry Watch 2007

Operation: Do Your Own Laundry officially began on Brayden’s 10th birthday, when I gave her the gift of independence by teaching her to do her own laundry. Not off to an auspicious beginning, when, despite much nagging, load #1 spoiled in the washer, as she left it there overnight, citing “too busy” to move load to dryer. Very suspicious excuse, considering that evening's activities included much laying around watching "Drake and Josh". Once load was re-washed, transferred to dryer, and hung, clothes continued to hang in utility room for two days, as apparently Brayden “still too busy” to transfer hanging clothes to bedroom closet. That said, can’t be too cranky with her, considering she was only following the slacker-ly maternal example she’s been given re. laundry.

Load #2 accomplished today with much more success. Clothes not only transferred to dryer in timely manner, but both detergent and fabric softener dispensed with casual expertise. Clothes also hung on appropriate hangers and transferred to closet expediently. Second laundry occurrence not a total success, however, as half-basket of clean underwear and socks still sitting in child’s room, not put away. Again, see: example, Maternal.

Overall grade for Brayden in the Great Laundry Experiment: B+.

Have very, very high hopes for the continued success of the program. Plot to take over the world might fall short to better plot of getting daughter to start doing mother’s laundry as well.