It is not often that we get volunteers to help us with the housework, but when we do we need to be prepared. Sure, we have been around the block enough times to know that if a member of our family is offering to spend their all too valuable time helping clean or organize the house something is up. Yes, we do go on high alert, and our minds start to go at a hundred miles a minute to try and figure out what it is they are up to. Still, we do not want to miss out on the opportunity to tap into this resource, no matter how limited, or misguided.

This means one thing, have a master list of chores, and things to be completed. Otherwise when you get willing assistant you might be to flustered by the gesture to know what to give them to do. This would be nothing less than a nightmare, so avoid it. Because at some point young Ethan will want to get on your good side before asking to borrow the car on Saturday night, and little Melissa will be very eager to doing something nice before you catch a glimpse at her most recent report cards, and well as for Tony your spouse, he just bought another fishing pole, or flatscreen, or other thing he promised not to.

Ultimately, something untoward is probably headed your way, and at the very least you have something pleasant to reflect on to soften that blow. I know this all to well, and therefore keep a three page, front and back list of all the things that need attention, or cleaning. And, on occasion, when the favour is so big, or the blunder so great, I have been known to just hand over the entire list to the beggar/offender. Don’t get caught without one of your own.