Responsibilities of a Preschooler

    The little princess has decided she wants her ears pierced.  I wasn't surprised, she likes being "fancy" and is fascinated by jewelry. This was bound to happen, but I hadn't really decided when an appropriate time to let her get her ears pierced would be.  The only thing I had decided was to wait until it was something she wanted.  My parents told me I could get my ears pierced when I was eight.  My ears later got infected and as a result my sister didn't get her ears pierced until she was ten.  I no longer had a lot of time to think this over though, the question was before me "May I get my ears pierced."  Most questions like this I have a magic time for she can chew bubble gum when she is five and she can walk a dog when she is strong enough to hold the leash.  With this, ages started going through my head in a little check list.. 5? 8? 10? 16?!  When is she old enough.  But what I realized is I didn't know because I didn't know when she could handle that kind of responsibility.  She is much more responsible than I was at her age.  What I decided to tell her was that she could get her ears pierced when she was responsible enough, so she would have to show me that she was responsible enough to take care of both her earrings and her ears.  We talked about the piercing process and how it is painful to make sure it was something she was truly interested in.  Then, we discussed the care that piercings need, and how she can show me that she is able handle this kind of responsibility.  She is excited about proving to me how responsible she can be.  I am sure this translates to a lot of blogs on different ways I attempt to teach the princess responsibility!  Because of this, I thought I would take this opportunity to go over what her responsibilities already are.
    When I am cleaning in the kitchen, I do not want to have to wonder what the princess is up to or have to tell her that I am too busy to play.  Truth is, I'm never too busy for my baby girl- or I try to set up life so that I am not.  Of course that is a learning process and something I  learn a little more about every day.  When the princess was very little, I kept her play kitchen in the family kitchen.  This kept her away from hot pots and sharp knives.  As she got older, she knew not to touch or play around these items, but this also meant she was ready for a little responsibility in the Kitchen.  Now, when I am putting dishes away, the princess' "job" is to empty all the silverware (after I take the sharp knives out).  She does this easily and quickly now, so I will be looking into more things she can help out with in the dining room and kitchen. 
    We are still working on the priness cleaning up after herself.  This is probably the main area I will be looking to see a bit more progress in.  As far as cleaning up toys goes, we used to play "whistle while you work" before we transistion into a new activity. This is something we kinda grew out of. The clean up games aren't really necessary anymore.  She picks up without any arguments, and most of the time without having to be asked twice, but not all of the time. She does usually have to be asked, though.  In the mornings, she makes her bed.  Well, I'll be very honest here, she is SUPPOSED to make her bed in the mornings.  When we first started this, we would make the bed together. Then, I found that she started making her bed on her own and did a very good job.  This meant, to me, that she no longer needed my help.  This went decently at the beginning, but has led to her playing up in her room, until I go to check on her, instead of her making her bed.  I am now having to decide if this is something I find important enough to push, or if I think it is better for me to start assisting her.  I would normally think at four she could use some help, but I try to let her skills progress in a natural matter and we just ended up here, with her making her bed.   The princess is also responsible for cleaning the bathroom sink after she brushes her teeth.  I keep a spray bottle at the sink filled with water and a tad of vinegar.  Next to it, I keep a little rag with her name printed on it.  The rag and bottle got her excited about this new responsibility when I first introduced it to her, and still seams to do pretty well.  Though, she does still need to be reminded.  Again, this is where she has  room for progress in an area where she is probably also ready for it. 
    Ear piercing calls for a lot of responsibility, but it specifically requires responsibility in self care.  The princess brushes her own teeth at night, with the King by her side brushing hers at the same time.  She also flosses and rinses with mouth wash.  During  the day, we swap between her brushing her teeth and me assisting.  I use this time to make sure she knows how to properly brush all of the areas around her teeth as well as her teeth. She does really well, I just feel like we might as well perfect it, and she appreciates the help.  I also talk her through washing her own hair and applying soap by herself when she takes a bath.  She has not yet reached for the shampoo and soap without instruction, but she will when she's ready.     Listening and being able to follow directions is the most important part of self care at this age, to me.
    I am sure there will be many more posts about responsibility and life skills.  This has always been very important to me, but now that it is also important to the princess I should have some great things to share in the future!  If you have any ideas or things that you use in your house, please take advantage of the comments section below.  I would love some suggestions and tips on how to make this fun and exciting.