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"Mom! I'll do the dishes!" My 6 year old exclaimed this morning as I was mentally making my to-do list. It had been snowing all morning and everyone was sharing either panic or excitement about the incoming ice, snow, and frigid temps. It's going to be -8 on Wednesday in one of the towns that I typically drive to for sessions. -8!! Even in South-western PA, we are not used to this.
"Ok!" I said, putting my to-do list on hold. By then, I had decided I would move my Tuesday sessions to Thursday and my Wednesday sessions to Friday, getting back to our clinic in the afternoon and hopefully making up any sessions that I can't get to next week. I'd have to get in touch with about 20 families, but it could wait. If she was planning to do the dishes, I better be there to help or we'd be swimming in the kitchen in no time (she'd be surfing no doubt, she is so much fun!).
She learned to rinse and make bubbles, I washed, we laughed, and it was actually a lot of fun. I hope she asks to help again, because I am no fan of dishes. Toward the end she asked, "Mommy do I get the red plate?" with the biggest smile.
"Absolutely!" I answered. "You did a great job! Thanks for all your help!"
My husband and I were gifted a stack of red plates on our wedding day from a friend with an adorable poem about the tradition. From that day on, we put them in our cabinet and bring them out anytime there is something to recognize or celebrate. Today, with 3 kids of our own, the red plate is something we talk about a lot in our family. It comes up at least weekly, sometimes daily.
Ace the spelling test? Red plate.
Help someone out? Red plate.
Try something new? Red plate.
Celebrate your birthday? Red plate.
Interview for a promotion? Red plate.
Clean up without being asked? Red plate.
Go out of your way to do something nice? Red plate.
Work really hard on something? Red plate.
Make a delicious new food to share? Red plate.
Do something brave? Red plate for sure.
Anyone in our family can award the red plate to anyone else. Even Moose, our big yellow lab, gets it on his birthday, usually filled with bite-size pancakes and peanut butter. You can even nominate yourself for the red plate. No need to be humble! Share how you earned it and it's yours.
The red plate has been one of our favorite family traditions. It's important to recognize the good in each day. It's powerful. We now like to pass on the tradition when we can.
Have you ever heard of this tradition before? Does your family do anything similar?
We'd love to know!
Best,
Heather
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