This past Sunday, I caused a small stir on social media when I posted this photo of my three year old, Hope, doing laundry. The caption, “When you keep having potty accidents, you learn to do your own laundry”.

Now, Hope has been potty trained for a while and every now and then she gets off track. Sunday was the third day we were dealing with some recurring accidents. I think she had three (maybe four) and it was time I gave her a real life consequence.

This photo is a tad deceiving, because it makes her look sad. In all honesty, she was not really upset about this punishment. She’s the kind of kid that is hard to discipline because she really likes everything. Even time out doesn’t bother her. Though she did get mad when Zoey got to read a book with Daddy while she had to work.

Here’s what I had her do. I had her collect all of her (and Zoey’s) laundry and bring it to the laundry room. She then sorted it into darks, lights, whites and towels/underwear. She loaded the washer with underwear, towels and socks. As she loaded the underwear into the wash, she commented how some were wet and some were stinky. I would ask her, “Why are they wet?” or “Why are they stinky?” She would answer, “Because I tee-teed in them”. She then put in a detergent (Tide Pod) and ran the cycle based on my instructions. Then she went and sorted the rest of the laundry to wash later.

What made me laugh was that every other person either commented on the photo applauding my parenting move or feeling sorry for her. Again, the picture was a little deceiving with her head down, but she was focused on getting clothes in the right piles. I later contemplated if it was too harsh of a punishment for a three year old, but I realized she learned a lot more than a life lesson. Hope worked on her sorting, matching and color skills as she sorted the clothing. She got a lesson in cause and effect by understanding dirty underwear must be washed. She worked on letter recognition when she had to press the washing machine buttons to match the first letters of the settings I told her. Hope also felt a sense of accomplishment and success as she completed each task. (She can officially sort clothing better than my husband)

The only way I would feel the punishment was too harsh is if I didn’t want her to be an independent and successful child. But, I do! So I think the punishment was right on. I’m sorry to all those who felt bad for her (mostly grandmothers–they always do), because I feel great for Hope. She’s three, confident and can now run the washing machine AND the dishwasher. I’m nowhere close to being a perfect parent and I will screw up in other areas, but I felt this was a life lesson worth teaching. Now if I could only teach the other, more stubborn child to pick up her toys….

Thanks for letting me share,