Flying V Formation
When my son was ten, he became fascinated with the migration of geese.
He learned that the reason they fly in a V formation is to distribute the burden of travel, which can be up to 3,000 miles a year (!!) As the geese in front flap their wings, they produce air and lift that carries to those behind them, allowing the birds in the back to coast, and fly with greater ease.
When the goose in the front wears out, it leaves its position and goes to the back, and the next in line takes its place.
One day, I found myself overwhelmed. Nothing major, just an accumulation of petty annoyances that culminated in me leaving the kids alone after dinner to attend a meeting, with the house in a state of chaos.
A few hours later I returned home bracing for a late night of catch up, and was shocked to walk into a perfectly clean house.
Dishes done, laundry put away, stairs vacuumed.
I was able to determine pretty quickly that my son had done the work and found him in bed, nearly asleep. I told him how much I appreciated it, and that it must have been hard for him to do it all himself.
His answer?