Cleaning the Basement

Yesterday, I had my 9 year old son help me clean the basement - partly as punishment for putting play ahead of his responibilities, partly as an educational experience, and partly for bonding time with me. Of course he didn't want to do it and frequently would ask if we are almost done. He learned (I believe) that (1)responibilities do come before play, (2)never to piss dad off, (3)just because he has never done something does not mean he is unable to do it, and (4)that hard work does have its rewards. It reminded me of when I was his age and how much I hated it when my dad would volunteer me to help him clean the basement or garage. My dad was so nit-picky. "A place for everything and everything in its place" was one of his adages that I will always remember and live by. He was so neat and organized and fussy about every corner and every speck of dirt swept and organizing everything and making a "home" for it. He also would frequently say, "If you use something, put it back where you got it. Then you'll always know where to find it next time." The task would take an entire afternoon and spoil my time for fun and play.