Laundry Duty

Today I sit here wondering if I am balancing well. Teaching the kids to go out there....try things on their own, and yet being responsible in their work, efforts and endeavors. It started out with the little things, like holding bottles for themselves, and cleaning their rooms. We moved onto making cookies and writing birthday cards. It is always the same lesson; teaching, guiding, and then hands-off while they make their best effort. Today it is laundry and I think I've failed. Just this year, my 13 year old decided to take matters into her own hands, and while I do 4-5 loads of laundry each week, she has her 'own' laundry that she likes to do. So my inner self is freaking out, cause of all the water, electricity and soap she is costing in taking on this responsibility but, the more important lesson for both of us is that she is taking initiative and doing the work. The new thing to teach today, is how to counter-balance that work, with cost effectiveness. It's a whole new world, and I will learn.