6. Get your children involved in household chores from a young age!

“Both children and parents have important duties to fulfill at home. They should be taught that they are part of the home's organization.” (The Ministry of Healing, p. 394)

You might think, how? Then I'll lose a lot of time with a baby or child by my side. Consider that your time might indeed be much longer, but on the other hand, you'll be gaining in their education, because your kitchen will become a laboratory where you can teach nutrition, math, and so on...

A living room can be a great place for a chat, even while moving around, sweeping or cleaning the furniture. In every part of our home, we can be teaching our children precious lessons that will last for all eternity.

Living far from family, without the help of a housekeeper, I had to learn to involve my children in activities from a very early age. But the question was: How? What to do? At first it was very difficult; reading and prayer are essential to avoid going crazy. I had to adapt to this new reality: stroller, car seat, playpen, rubber mats.

With these aids, I could keep them close to me while I was doing some activity. And as they grew, they could already do their small activities sitting on the mat. Even today, we are always together in activities; sometimes this bothers some people, but we shouldn't worry. As the daughter of a father who always helped at home, who was a tailor in his youth, and who sewed at home (making and selling clothes), I don't find it strange, for example, to teach my children to sew, wash, and iron clothes. And they learn, sometimes, just by watching us do it...

A few weeks ago, while preparing for Sabbath, we noticed that the eldest hadn't put his dress pants in the wash during the week, and on preparation day, I try not to do laundry, only in exceptional cases. So I told him he would need to wash them. And, without complaining, he went to the wash tub and washed his pants and hung them on the clothesline. By afternoon, the pants were all ready for Sabbath. I only ironed my husband's clothes and checked mine.

Here at home, both of them already prepare their clothes for Sabbath, and when ironing is needed, the eldest irons his own and the younger one's too. And I say this because it's not a sacrifice; he does it with joy, and then he comes to show me and ask if it's good.

“The education of the child for good or for evil begins in the earliest years. … When the older ones grow up, they should help care for the younger members of the family. The mother should not tire herself doing the work that the children can and should do.” Manuscript 126, 1903.

In the following link, there are activities your child can help with according to their age: https://www.projetorestaure.com/incentive-seu-filho-a-ajudar-em-casa/

“If your children are not accustomed to working, they will soon be tired. They will complain of pain in their side, shoulders, tired limbs; and you will be in danger, out of sympathy, of doing the work yourselves instead of allowing them to suffer a little. Let the children's work be very light at first, increasing a little each day, until they can do a reasonable amount of work without tiring.” (Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 687)

7. Simplifying in the kitchen

“Let your first objective be to make the home pleasant. Be careful to provide conditions that ease work and promote health and comfort.” (The Ministry of Healing, 368, 369)

And now, time to cook! Bringing two children into the kitchen, and two boys at that, will it work? With me, it always has and always does!

“When we surrender ourselves unreservedly to the Lord, the simple and common duties of home life will be viewed in their true importance, and we will fulfill them according to the will of God.” (The Review and Herald, September 15, 1891.)

Another important tip is to adopt a simpler routine for Sabbath. Here at home, it has made all the difference!!!

“On Sabbath, we should not increase the quantity of food or prepare a greater variety than on other days. On the contrary, the Sabbath meal should be simpler, and it is advisable to eat less than usual, in order to have a clear mind and be able to understand spiritual themes. Excessive eating dulls the mind.” (Selected Messages Vol. 3, p. 23)

Success for the start of a new week begins right after Saturday sunset. And here we go... I like to do the Sabbath dishes right after sunset. Sometimes me, sometimes the boys, or even my husband. I find it essential to start the week. And right after, we'll have to prepare the evening snack. After finishing the snack, the kitchen is all ready for the next day.

I use the 1st day of the week to make whole wheat bread for the entire week and to prepare foods I can freeze. But while the bread is rising, we can already get ahead on other things, like roasts for the week, beans, and more. Although my freezer isn't big, it's a great friend. Because I cook or roast one part, and separate another and freeze it to use during the week. I usually do this in the afternoon, because in the morning I always go out with the boys for a walk or outdoor activity, after we've tidied up the house.

We try to wash and sanitize vegetables and fruits when we get back from the market or grocery store. It also makes meal prep easier. And there are some vegetables that I also peel, cut, and freeze right away. Lunch on the first day of the week is also very practical, usually "leftovers" from Sabbath or we grab something frozen from the previous week.

So, let's simplify!! But still delicious! It's also worth noting that planning your weekly meals can be a huge help.

Warmly, Telma Valentim

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