Colds have been coming and going around our house for the past two weeks. A lot of nose blowing has been going on. So a request was made that if one uses the last Kleenex to please get out a new box. And I added that if you take the last box to write it on the list. This snowballed to a reminder to refill the toilet paper roll when emptied. Again with the same request from Mom to write on the list when rolls are getting low so we don’t run out completely.
A friend told me of a time that her son was at another’s house and used the last paper towel. He quickly went to the mom and told her that the paper towels were gone. At first the mom thought he wanted another one, so she went to get another roll and handed it to him. “Oh, I don’t need one,” he said, “I just wanted you to know.” Surprised the mom replied, “Thank you, I appreciate your telling me.”
This mom was so impressed with this boy’s common courtesy that she told his mom of the incident as soon as she picked him up.
We too can help our children by role playing these scenarios that may confront them at home and again out and about. We can practice being at friends and telling the parent there is no more soap in the kitchen or the toilet paper is out in the back bathroom. Preparing them for these times will give them confidence to do what is helpful, instead of putting someone else in a very uncomfortable situation.
At home, a child can be taught to do the refilling. When they are incapable of doing the task or perhaps the tools are missing, a child can be directed to go to a parent so they can rectify the problem. As we discussed the need to step up refilling in our home, we committed to action with a little chant, you probably guessed it, it is: “I will, refill.”