The Berenstain Bears Trouble with Chores – Will you please pick that up?
Written: Apr 12 '08 (Updated Apr 27 '08)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Teaches a lesson that everyone should be involved in keeping the house clean.
Cons: There are none really, was a very good lesson!
The Bottom Line: This has a very nice lesson that sometimes everyone has to pitch in so everyone can relax and have fun!
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| Magick1's Full Review: Stan Berenstain and Jan Berenstain - Berenstain Be... |
My oh my, I am sure there are a ton of women out there (as well as some men) that feel that they have no help around the house. With 3 cubs, a dog and a fish and a husband, sometimes mama bear feels underappreciated, unassisted and like she should take a day off (or longer). That someday is here!
I know that there are days when it is easier to just do it myself. This way, I know that it gets done and that I don’t have to hear anyone be grumpy about their task. I realize that sometimes doing it myself is quicker. But, I don’t want the family to feel that mama takes care of everything. Once in a while, they need to realize that all of their help is needed to keep things running ship shape! Mama bear apparently agrees!
The Story
Mama bear does a lot around the house. She has papa bear, but he usually works in the yard and keeping the house in top form. The cubs (at least sister and brother bear) have their chores and they alternate to switch the jobs around and no one feeling like they are doing an easy task while the other gets a hard task. But, lo and behold, it doesn’t seem to work.
Sister is whining about brother’s chores as they seem easier than hers and she is whining to mama bear about this. Brother bear is finding excuses not to do his chores because he has a report to prepare. Father has his excuses as to why things are not being done around the house and the yard. Sister now starts bringing up reasons why she cannot do her tasks. The vicious cycle just continues. Finally, the children start asking each other to trade. Neither wants to do that. So, they start arguing and bickering about the chores. Boy, does doing it all by herself sound good to mama bear.
And, that is what mama bear started doing, in addition to taking care of the baby bear, she began doing it all. Of course, she is limited in all that she can do and things started to get a little backed up. But, papa bear said there is more to life than chores and everyone should relax, take in the sunshine and enjoy Mother Nature. So, that’s what they ALL did.
Mama did a few things here and there, but nothing like she normally did. She was going to her clubs and working on relaxing and things she enjoyed much more than cleaning, cooking, washing and scrubbing! Well, with no one doing the work, things started to get crazy around the house and everyone was noticing and getting upset over the mess. While mama was out, they all got down and did the chores and made the place look clean!
Mama came home, did not make mention of it and went about her stuff. They asked and then she commented on how nice things looked and gave everyone a big hug and kiss. I would say that she got her point across.
Overall Impressions
The bear family really has a cute way of getting the point across without being preachy or giving you the feeling of a lecture. The pictures in the books are drawn with such cute expressions and with such a fun look at how things could be. My daughter truly enjoys reading these books and she does seem to learn about and understand things better. When we talked about cleaning up her room or emptying the trash from the bathroom in the big garbage can, it used to be a bit of a whine “why does it need to be done”. But, after reading this book a few times, I don’t have that whine any more. My daughter happily runs to get it and says thank you to me for letting her help me with “big girl” tasks or chores. She seems to understand that we all play a part in making the messes and we should all help in picking the messes up. (This is not to say that it happens so beautifully every time, but overall, it’s like this.)
I feel that the presentation of The Berenstain Bears books make them so enjoyable and fun that it drives points across without feeling like a lesson. That’s what makes these books fun to read and fun to look at any time. Whenever my daughter picks one of these to share with me, I tell her what a pleasure it is. She just knows we get some great cuddling and reading time and I get that plus the joy in knowing that it is helping her grow!
~Thanks for spending time with me today!~
Bedtime Battle
Hug and Make Up
Trouble with Commercials
The Truth
The Bad Habit
Count Their Blessings
Recommended:
Yes
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