Heard on the MOAT Street….

Instead of a guest blog today, I though it might be fun to post what some moms have been sharing with me.  So here are a few stories from the front-lines.


Job Stuff:
Some MOAT kids in Atlanta have a thriving power wash business in their neighborhood.  Forget cute clipart, these boys focused on the font and bright colored paper.  They blanketed their respective blocks and have been cashing in on their business – $10/hour.  Two of the families had power washing machines so start-up costs were minimal.  What a great idea to take what’s in your garage, help people with a needed chore, productively use your time AND bring home some dough.

They’ve done such a terrific job, one of their clients paid them to mulch her beds (I could use a little help in that area).  Another client, thrilled with the fact that these guys aren’t just sitting around waiting for life to serve them, asked the high school senior work crew to paint inside her house!!  “Was it a room in the basement/off the beaten path?” I questioned.  NO!  It was right when you come into the house.  … They did a super job, a la “Do Hard Things” (see the “Pantry” page).

I’m not sure why that would surprise me.  And here’s a “You Rock” shout-out to that mom who didn’t put perfection before performance.  I want to be more like you.

Attitude:
A Dallas MOAT commented on how wonderful her son’s attitude was when he returned home from Boy Scout camp.  All it took was a week in a tent, making his own food, using nature’s “facilities” to bring to light just how great “home” can be.  His transformation lasted about 2 days.

Tired of his “serve me” approach, she escorted him to the front yard and educated him in the art of watering the pots.  You would have thought she had asked him to split the atom.  “I am NOT watering those pots!!!”  (hmmmm, sounds like a few people I know :)

She didn’t let the verbal assault hinder her resolve.  “If you don’t water the pots, you’ll be making breakfast.”  (Let me just tell you that breakfast in her house is no small feat.  They’re in a super healthy group to whom we Leggo-My-Eggo crew can’t really relate.  She soaks her oats each morning for an hour before cooking.)  “Just so you know,” she added, “breakfast is on our clock, not on yours.”

The stubborn kid chose to make breakfast.  Some of the battles they choose are so pointless.  Its almost laughable.

OK, so I am laughing.

…. knowing it will be me tomorrow.

Chores:
One of the Phoenix-Girls is truly an inspiration in her chore efforts … her “Door-Chores”.

Matter-of-factly, all of her 4 kids pitch in.  I’m not sure, but I don’t think they complain.  Each day she tacks the day’s tasks on their doors so they know exactly what needs to be done before anything on their own agenda begins.  Here’s a sample of what might be found on her Sophomore’s door.