Hey Reader,

In hindsight, growing up with military parents was awesome.

As a parent now, I crave the discipline, structure, and chores that I fought against as a kid.

My folks taught us many great lessons about life, work, family, and faith, but one in particular stands out.

And it might not be what you think.

Lesson 1: Clean up after yourself

I’m pretty sure that 91.6% of parenting is cleaning up after your kids.

Just from where I’m sitting in the house while writing this I can see 11 things out of place:

• 3 water bottles
• 1 feather boa
• 4 homework sheets
• 1 sweater
• 2 lunch boxes

And none of it belongs to an adult.

It’s the kids, I swear!

Our children are a work in progress (aren’t we all?), but we’re training them to clean up after themselves because it teaches them several values:

1. Ownership
2. Community
3. Cleanliness

Cleaning up your own mess teaches you ownership

Your life is your fault. It’s your mess. You clean it up.

We want our kids to grow up and feel empowered to take control of their lives no matter the circumstances. Of all the things in a kid’s life, their bedroom is probably the one thing they control the most. It’s the one place they have the most power over.

Training kids to clean their room teaches them that there are consequences they can control.

If you make a mess, it is your mess. You own it. You clean it up.

Cleaning up your own mess teaches you how to live in community

You can’t leave your mess for someone else to clean up.

Even if you’re a single parent with one kid, you are a family. Your kid doesn’t live by themselves. They live in a community with you. And being part of a community means taking care of each other and wherever you call home.

So, you can’t leave your dishes on the table for someone else to clean. Or your 5 pairs of shoes by the door for someone else to put away.

You are someone. And someone needs to put their own stuff away. Or this someone (dad) is gonna ground that someone (kid) and then no one will have any fun. ;)

Cleaning up your own mess teaches you cleanliness

How do homes get filthy and unhealthy to live in? When people don’t clean up after themselves.

Dirty plates piling up in the kitchen sink. Rotting food getting moldy in the fridge. Dirty, sweaty laundry piling up on in the bedroom closet. Wet towels molding on the bathroom floor.

(Anyone else compelled to go wash your hands right now? Just me?)

We need exposure to germs in order to strengthen our immune systems to stay healthy long-term, but living in filth isn’t good for anyone.

Clean up after yourself to keep everyone healthy.

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WISDOM

Are you a good loser?

Why does losing teach us how to win?

Because you learn what you need to improve, what you need to do differently next time to get better.

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RECOMMENDED: Podcast Episode

5 Ways How Losing Weight Can Make You FATTER & Unhealthier

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Look. I've been working out 3-5 days a week for 20 years. I have never missed more than 2 weeks that entire time. Including the time I got in a car accident. I was in the gym WITH A CANE just one week later.

In late 2020, I discovered the MindPump podcast. Since then I have bought and completed 9 of their programs and I'm in the best shape of my life so far at 40 years old.

They are funny, kind, relevant, and super knowledgeable about fitness and nutrition in a way that is relatable and easy to understand.

They've literally changed the way I think about exercise and food for the better.

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Move your body.
Clear your mind.
Repeat.

Keep up the good work!
-KC

​@KCProcter​ Gym Dad, Coffee Drinker, LEGO collector

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P.S. What's your favorite dad joke?

There's a good chance I'll include it in a future newsletter and give you credit. :)

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