“Maybe one day I can help you more”,
I think as I watch mummy sweep the floor.
My hands are so tiny, my feet are so small,
They’re just not quite big enough to do it all.

I try my hardest, I really do my best,
To be a good helper, so mummy’s not stressed.
But I get in the way, I don’t know what to do,
I really don’t mean it, I just want to help too.

I empty the dishes, but mummy looks wary,
I’m not sure why, these dishes aren’t scary.
She takes them away, ushers me off to find dad.
Maybe one day, dishes won’t be bad.

I see mummy fold clothes and I want to help too,
I’ve watched her so much, I know just what to do.
But when I try, and I’m ready for more,
Mum picks the clothes up, right up off the floor.

To help mummy cook would be such a dream,
We could make all sorts of things with yummy whipped cream.
I could set the table with cups and plates,
Wouldn’t they be great mummy, daughter dates.

For now I’ll keep watching and help where I can,
I’ll do my best, I’ll try my hardest and then,
With each step I take, I’ll learn and explore,
And maybe one day, I’ll do so much more.

Hope is nearly 4. Her twin brother, Alexander, is doing a lot of helping with the chores. We say we want to treat Hope the same, we do our best in that, but when it comes to helping around the house, she doesn’t do a lot of what Alexander does. Is that because she’s unable, or is it us stopping her? I think a lot of it is us. Yes, sometimes the throwing of clothing on the floor is frustrating, but I think we need to look at it with different eyes. See that she is simply trying to help and rather than stopping her and ushering her away, we help her, we guide her and she learns. She can help in the same way Alexander does, if we allow it.