Many Hands Make Light Work (Handouts)

MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK
(Working Together as a Family)

For many of us, family work is like taking castor oil -- something we do as quickly as
possible so we can get it over with and experience the least amount of pain. We want
to get on with the other things we'd rather be doing. The old Erma Bombeck adage
sums up these feelings nicely: Housework, if done properly, can kill you.

When Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden, they found themselves in
a world of continual, steady, hard work. Traditionally, many have considered this need
to labor as a curse, but a close reading of the account suggests otherwise. God did not
curse Adam; He cursed the ground to bring forth thorns and thistles, which in turn
forced Adam to labor. And Adam was told, “Cursed shall be the ground for thy sake.”
In other words, the hard work of eating one’s bread “by the sweat of thy face” was
meant to be a blessing. (Moses 4:23-25)

Undoubtedly, the Lord knew that other activities associated with mortality—like
studying and learning or developing one’s talents--would also be important. But His
initial emphasis, in the form of a commandment, was on that which had the power to
bring His children back into His presence, and that was FAMILY WORK.

Family work is essential for our growth and enriches our lives. Its real power lies in its
potential to transform lives and to forge strong families. It develops character, helps us
become more self-reliant, teaches honesty, and makes us more aware of what others
do for us, fostering humility and gratitude. When family members work together they
learn how to serve each other and sacrifice for the other.

If we look beyond the common criticisms of work – that is mindless, menial, and
demeaning – we can find an unexpected gold mine of opportunity. Some of the things
people most commonly dislike about family work offer us “the greatest possibilities for
nurturing close relationships and forging family ties.”

For example, mindless chores require less concentration, leaving family members able
to give their attention to one another as they work together. As we work, we can sing,
dance, talk or tell stories (Refer to the “CLEANING THE HOUSE IS FUN TO DO”
handout). Laboring side by side with our children as partners often helps them feel
more comfortable talking openly to us. Because work is menial, even the smallest child
can make a meaningful contribution” (Refer to “HUNDREDS of HELPING HANDS”
handout).

As we work together as a family, we learn that the heaviest load becomes lighter. The
daunting job of cleaning the garage now becomes a fun-filled afternoon of a family
talking, singing and laughing together.
Vjollca K. Martinson,”Blessings of Family Work”, (http://griggs.byu.edu:8232/Article.aspx?a=7)
Kathleen Slaugh Bahr and Cheri A. Loveless, “Family Work”, BYU Magazine, Spring 2000,
(http://magazine.byu.edu/print.php?a=151)

WORK TO BUILD FAMILY UNITY
Clean out storage rooms
Organize and/or restock food storage room
Dishes
Spring cleaning
Deep cleaning an entire room
Clean out garage
Yard work
Raking and bagging autumn leaves
Felling trees
Cleaning the family car – inside and out
Planting a garden
Canning
Picking fruit
Weeding the Garden
Preparing meals
Holiday baking
Remodeling projects
Painting the house – inside and out
Planting flowers
Sub for Santa