What make my child useful....He is such a mommy's little helper..if I am cleaning up, throwing things away, cooking..he just loves to help. He will throw things away, make sure I have the remotes (so that I can make suare his favorite shows are on..i am sure.) Ever since he could walk he has been wanting to take the vacumm away from me and also my duster..He even helps me water the grass and the flowers we have planted. He is wonderful and I am grateful to have this great child in my life and very proud to call him my son....

My little guy loves to be useful. He's always excited when asked to find something or carry something. His favorite phrases "I can do it for you" and "Let me do it!". He's a wonderful helper and quite a blessing.

My son is useful and he helps save me money. He walks around the house all the time finding pennies, nickels I mean if there's money around the house or on the ground he's finding it. I call him my "stimulus kid" lol I love my son and of course he helps clean the house and helps me take care of his little brother while daddy is off fighting fires.

My grandson Emanuel comes over to my house every day when his mom is at work. He is only 3 years old, but he loves to help me clean up the house! When I wash dishes, he wants to rinse them. He likes to sweep the back porch, dust in the living room, and he helps me with the laundry! I think he will grow up to be like Danny Tanner on "Full House."

My two boys ages 2 and 4 are very useful. My oldest son, Jayden, is always helping around the house. He loves to help mommy put clothes into the washer, dryer, and even help fold! He also loves to help load and unload the dishwsher. My youngest son Brenden loves to help mommy cook and dust. He even has his own swiffer duster! They also are great about picking up their toys in their room before going to bed each night. :-) Both of my babies are so very helpful. They make my job of cleaning the house easier and of course my heart swell with our precious time together! :-)

What Makes my son kaleb so useful!!! He has been very useful since i had his baby sister which is now three months. He helps my take her a bath, put lotion on her and helps me feed her. He also likes to help me take out the trash and laundry. Kaleb is also such a trooper when his dad has to leave for military reasons, he always keeps his mommy and sister company.

What make my kid(s) the most useful? Their effect on me ... I find myself now more patient, more organized, happier, sillier. I am a better person becuase I am now a mom. If that wasn't a useful side effect of having two boys, I don't know what is!!!

What makes my kids the most useful? I find that since I had kids they are the most precious gifts that God could ever give someone. They are the reason I love to wake up every morning, when I am feeling down all I have to do is look at them. I have a 2 1/2 year old and almost 15 month old and both are boys. My oldest is helpful when its time to play clean up he helps by singing the Clean-up song loves to help me sweep and is very helpful when I need help with his little brother. He tries to keep him out of trouble and when them two play together its just so hard not to smile and be thankful for my gifts. My youngest loves to help me put the clthes in the dryer and helps me fold them by making sure I get them all out of the basket and give them to me when he isnt trying to wear them on his head. He loves to watch me vaccum he thinks it is funny. They are most useful in my everyday life from the time I wake up until its time for them to say good night. They make my day everyday extra special.

My 3 year old helps clean up, but what I think is one of his most useful qualities is the way he relates to his sister! He plays with her and she with him. When she put onher new pink dress, he said, "Mommy, sissy is a princess!"

My little girl helps me around the house and also is my working partner on the job. What makes her even more helpful than the rest, is her constant habit of helping others even strangers. She will actually walk up introduce herself and offer to help you. This happens at places like stores, parks, restaurants. Did I mention she will carry around a list, boxes in a column, she check marks as tasks are completed. She is six and has played with thomas choo choo train stuff endlessly since she could walk. We don't know anyone that plays with the stuff more. She is such a good helper for me that we call our team the octopus, because when she was born I now have four arms, four hands, and four legs.

My two year old son, Kash, is such a wonderful little helper! Kash is very good at picking up his toys and placing them back where he found them which is great to not have toys laying around everywhere. He also loves to assist mommy and daddy with any task. He loves to assist with our yard cleanup such as picking up pine cones and limbs, assist with putting clothes in the dryer, and vacuuming. My son deserves to be recognized because he is always willing to help and he feels my heart with joy. It is wonderful to have a such a fun-loving and helpful son! Also, wherever he goes, Thomas has to be with him: Daycare, home, car, shopping, sleeping. Thomas helps Kash too.

Our youngest Andrew (5) is so useful...he feeds our dog dinner...helps with laundry...helps clean the house (it helps that I've turned that into a game). He completely amazes cashiers when we are out...as most children do when in line...he wants candy.....he asks and if we tell him "no"..he doesn't question....just puts it up and says "yes, maam"...cashiers are floored. He is so polite...please...thank you....etc. We are truly blessed with such a special child. He loves Thomas and it would be a dream come true.

"what makes your kid the most useful kid,"
My son (8) is very helpful. He will offer to do a chore or get something for his (15) year old sister - His sister on the other hand has out grown her being helpful stage. I think my son notices that this is a little upsetting to me - so he often steps up the the plate.

I have a 9 yr old girl and a 19 mo old boy. Both of them are very big helpers around the house. My littlest one loves to follow behind his big sister and help out in anyway. If she is picking up the toys...he is right behind helping out. If she is sweeping up the floor...he is right behind trying to help out. With the two of them working as a team our household chores go by like a breeze.

My son is the most cutest useful when he tells me out of the blue with a big grin on his face "I love you Mommy". Man, how that can just pull the weight of a long work day away! He's always full of hugs and kisses - and is helpful in practical ways too. And he's setting a great example for his little sister, who loves to copy him - so I get good lovin' from her as well! just writing this makes me cry and wishes they were here to squeeze! Those 2 are awesome!

My three year old grandson was born with the clean trait or the gene. This is very meaningful for me because my husband comes from a clean family before going to bed, all dishes are washed and put away, floors swept and/or vacuumed and most of all when getting out of bed for the day beds are made. For example, today, the three year old put his computer and books in a trash bag—called it trash--JUST WHAT A THREE YEAR OLD WOULD DO, and perhaps he will look for them tomorrow to play with them, yet he has cleaned up.

I have a 6 year old son and an almost 2 year old son, both of whom are very useful and helpful around the house. My older son takes great pride in watching his little brother, entertaining him, and sharing with him. He is especially helpful in the car at handing things to his younger brother. The older one sets the table and helps clean up at meals and in the evenings. The little one has a "clean up" song from daycare that he sings when he starts to pick up toys. He also loves to put trash in the trashcan, although you have to make sure it's REALLY trash that he is throwing away. They love to feed the dog, so she has to get 2 scoops of food so that each one can help. The older one feeds his fish on his own every day (well.... MOST every day). They both love Thomas and would love to be recognized as "useful" by their favorite tank engine.

My useful 4 year old, helps her grandmother fold clothes and sew. When she is at home, she helps her dad cut the grass, feed the dogs & rabbits and plant flowers. She likes to help me wash dishes, so she has her own set of dishes that she is allowed to wash. I teach dance and on nights she is with me at the studio, she likes to turn the music on and off and sometimes help teach. She has taken after her aunt in her fascination with trains.

My son just turned 3 and wants to do EVERYTHING on his own--teeth brushing, bathing, dressing, meal preparation--I mean EVERYTHING!!! I can't  flip a light switch without him screaming "I want to do it!!" I know a lot of this is because he's 3 and he's testing his limits but he really does have a big heart. Like when I'm mowing the grass or vacuuming and he's following me around with his little Fisher Price version repeating, "I'm helping you, Dad!", with his chest puffed out and a proud look on his face.  I'm looking forward to when he gets older and wants to clean the garage and file our taxes.

My child is very useful. He is 5 and he loves to help around the house. He loves to wipe windows and mop and vacuum. He also loves to help his dad with the flowerbeds and picking up sticks. He often brings a little flower (a violet or a yellow weed) inside for me to enjoy. He's most useful at reminding me that life is a blessing. He is always, always smiling and he's always hugging and being hugged. He's like this with everyone. He is pure joy and we are fortunate to have him as part of our family.

Hey, My son looks into the eyes and tries to figure it out what my feeling are. He will notice my tiresome and help me out in all my house hold work and in gardening too. He is four and half but helps me get the things from the car like a 50 lbs bag of rice to the kitchen, with all his energy. (he drags the bag with all his energy and gets to the place)which is too much for his age. He is the BEST.

The thing that makes my Jaden the "most useful kid" is his keen eye for things out of place and in need of repair. He is most handy with tools, his favorite being his "squeeze" (the plyers). Being only three hasn't hindered him from diving into even the most daunting repair tasks. For example, having watched his father repair our toilet to make the tank stop running, he knows that when he hears the water running too long, it's time to get to work! Thankfully, he calls on dad to help. Teamwork!

Cameron, age 2, is truly "very useful." He helps mommy whenever he can - loading and unloading laundry & dishwasher, carrying in grocery bags, watering plants - hey, this kid even asks to sweep! He makes up songs and will go around the house singing "everybody, clean up!" as we are working. Everything's easier with a happy, singing 2-year-old's help!

"What makes my child the most useful child?"

My daughter, Alyssa, just turned 2 years old in February. Alyssa likes to help my husband & I whenever she can. Whatever we may be doing she always wants to have a part of it and makes herself useful. Even if it is just throwing something in the garbage, she likes to be a part of it. Since she was around 5-6 months old she even likes taking the plastic bag with her dirty diapers in it and throw them away. To this date she still likes to do this. When she visits her Grammie in MS she likes to help her dust. As she grows older she can do more and I hope her attitude of being helpful sticks with her. She loves to go to Mommy's office and help out the receptionist Joanne do small task like copying and carrying items to the kitchen.

My children are “really useful children” because they are resourceful, inquisitive, and imaginative. With two children under the age of four, and two full-time working parents, it takes teamwork to accomplish everything we need to do. Just like Thomas and his friends, our children learn lessons from doing their “jobs”, be it cleaning up their toys or listening and behaving while the family runs errands. They also learn that good things happen, be it play time or a trip to the museum or to get ice cream, when we all work together to accomplish our household tasks at hand!

My "really useful child" Reilly has been a Thomas fan since he was 2! He loves the movies, the toys, the toothpaste, the fruit snacks, the sheets and quilt, etc. He lives, breathes, sleeps, and eats Thomas the Tank Engine!

He is the most hilarious child I know and he gives me such a lift on long days. He brightens any room he walks into. . .
It would make his year to be chosen!

Andrea in Pikeville

A few months ago, I had knee surgery. At 3 years old, my son helps by unloading the dishwasher (I'm still finding items that have been "put away"), cleaning the hamster cage (Wally remains well even though he's broken free a few times during cleaning), taking garden hand tools and planting seedlings in our garden while I supervise from the deck (and we have sprouts!) Most of all, I cannot count the number of times my "handy man" has taken recycling down to our bin...doesn't seem like a lot, but we have 26 steps to our front door.

My four-year-old son (whose birthday was just this past Sunday, 4/26) is most useful when he throws his arms around my neck and says Mommy, I love you! Nothing could be more useful than that, right? Although sometimes he is really good at knowing when to 'use' that with me too! Ha! Gotta love him! He is a BIG Thomas lover too!

My boys are 6 and 8 and still love Thomas, although they've moved away from collecting the wooden trains to the more advanced electric scale sets. My boys offer to help me with MY chores so that I have time to play with them. Dishes, dusting, windows, vacuuming, even toilets! If I am tired, they will massage my shoulders or kiss me and tell me to lay down and rest. One son was home sick this week and wasn't supposed to be in the heat. We had planned to plant our small vegetable garden that weekend, but didn't get to it. He decided to take an umbrella outside so that he could still help me! These kids inspire and motivate me!

My boys sparkle when asked to do a helpful job. When asked to wipe the outside table for dinner, not only did they wipe the tabletop, but also the table legs, chairs, chair legs, - even the twinkle lights on the umbrella. WOW!
They always look for ways to help. Daddy got a small scrape on his arm. My oldest noticed Daddy was bleeding. What to do? He remembered where there was a band-aid: on his own leg! He immediately pulled the band-aid off his knee and put it on Daddy. He was so pleased. Daddy stood there stunned! :)

My son Aidan is everyone's helper. He is very excited to help at mealtimes, and eagerly cleans his room with no provocation. He even helps his older sister pick up her things. He is always willing to help around the house. With 5 children and a full-time job, I must say Aidan is very useful.

My daughter Mary Blake takes on incredible responsibilities as a big sister. She is especially helpful with her 16-month-old brother. In the morning she helps him get dressed, even picking out his clothes for him. She helps him "up" and "down" as many times as he asks. When he's fussy, she brings him a toy or the juice cup he abandoned. If things get hectic after dinner, she helps by washing his hands and face with a clean washcloth. These are the ways my daughter is helpful in addition to her regular chores such as dusting, vacuuming, and organizing the bookshelf.

Like any mother, I wanted only the best day care for my new son. I was thrilled when my SAHM neighbor agreed to care for him in her home. But that meant her daughter Lily, who is three, went from being an only child to having to share her mommy with a younger child. Lily is always so gentle and caring with my son that he loves going to stay for the day. She LOVES Thomas but will often bring her toy trains over for Ben to play with. She hugs him when he falls down and reminds everyone to be quiet when he is sleeping. She is a great helper and gives me wonderful peace of mind that my son is in the best place possible next to me being at home with him!  If I were to win, I would share the tickets with Lily and her mom so they know how much I think of them.

Yesterday my 7 month old, Andy, got hurt and I had to call 911. My 2 year old, Jack, was such a brave boy. I had to take Andy to the hospital in the ambulance (he's OK!), and Jack was very useful. He helped get a bottle ready and made sure I took some of Andy's favorite toys for him. Jack's been a great helper taking care of Andy since he was born - but yesterday he was truly remarkable.

My little boy is the most useful when he is just being himself. I love the fact that no matter how awful my day has been, he is always there to give me a hug and kiss to make me smile. He gives so much unconditional love than I wonder what I did before I had him! Aren't our kids wonderful!

My little man loves Thomas. We are saving money to buy a house, and are currently living with relatives. When you ask what he wants for his birthday, which is next week, he says our own home and a Thomas train cake. It hurts that he knows we can't afford lavish presents, I would love to give him what he should be asking for. He dreams of having a world that doesn't have bad people or things, when he grows up he says he wants to stomp out the devil.

Elisha is 3 ½ now. When he was 4 mo., I was in an accident. Until he was 2 ½, I was in/out of casts & crutches. He quickly learned that I needed help. When he began walking & heard my phone he’d bring it to me (eventually), and help throw trash away. Now, he regularly feeds the dog, sets the table, puts away dishes, "folds" the laundry, cleans his room, makes his bed and more. I don't force him – these are things I mention and later find that he’s done, or he’ll jump in to help me! I’m pregnant & he’s thinking of ways to be more useful as a big brother. He wants to teach his sister to play.

Although he is only 3 1/2 years old, Andrew enjoys helping out around the house. He has his own Dirt Devil vacuum and likes to follow me around vacuuming the floors. He also likes to help fold laundry and put it away. Without being asked, Andrew also picks up his toys when it is nap or bedtime. At his grandparents house, his favorite thing to do is to help unload the dishwasher.

I couldn't ask for a better child.

Ethan’s two; Noah’s one,

Both useful as Engine #1

They’re alarm clocks everyday

They help make messes during play

Quick to tell when time for a meal

They love sharing how they feel

On a more serious side

Mom’s directions they abide

Rarely messy when they eat

Never fussy in their seat

Even though Ethan’s two

Helps his brother like no others do

Gives lots of hugs; never complains

Sings him songs; shares his trains

Noah’s only one

But he makes chores fun

Helps clean the playroom mess

Sorting socks…he’s the best.

Like their Thomas toys

They’re Really Useful boys!

My daughter is 2 1/2 she is a wonderful little girl, very smart and a sponge that just soaks up everything around her...but the one thing that really amazes me, is the way whe is so loving to people...she has this way of knowing when you are having a bad day or moment, I got laid off 3 months ago and have been a stay at home mom while looking a job and a few weeks ago it had been a bad day and when we went to bed (she Sleeps with us) she laid her head beside mine and said I love you mom!! and the she asked would I hold her hand. Another thing is when you get really frustrated whe will look at you and say 'What Honey?"

My really useful engine, Jamie, is 3. He has loved Thomas since he came home from the hospital. He loves to color and sing "they're 2 they're 4 they're 6 they're 8..." all day long!! One of his favorite sayings is "Thomas can do anything...and so can I!!" He loves to help feed his puppies (we have 3 including one BIG one), plant flowers "Let's go outside and watch our vegetables grow!!", and put up all his toys. He and I made up a song that must be said when cleaning up "We gotta clean up, clean up our Thomas!" If I am sad or sick he promptly tells me "Mommy, I will give you a big hug and kiss, sing you the Barney I Love You song and make you feel better!" The most useful thing he does? Making people laugh. Wherever we are he introduces himself with "My name is Jamie. What's your name?" When the person responds they get a stretched out hand for shaking and a "Pleased to meet you!" That is quickly followed up with his favorite Knock-knock joke. To prove how useful he is at making you laugh I will tell it to everyone here:
Knock Knock
Who's There?
Interrupting Cow
Interrupting c....MOO!!!!
You can use that one if you need a quick laugh in your day!!!

My son Walker, 3, is almost too helpful around the house. He always wants to help me wash dishes, and gets water and soap everywhere. He likes to help me do the laundry by putting any clothes he finds into the washing machine, and constantly opening the dryer to see if they are ready. When we fold clothes, he likes to fold them his way, which is a bit wrinkled and rolled. I had to get him his own spray bottle and fill it with water so he could help me wash the windows. While at times it is a bit too much, at the end of the day I realize how lucky I am to have a cute little boy who wants to hang out with me!

My little man Hayden is 4 years old and loves to do everything I do. From cooking to vacuuming and he even puts away his own dish in the sink. He's already showing love to his soon to be born brother. He gives hugs and kisses on my belly before bedtime and once in awhile he’ll even sing to my belly. I can already tell he’ll make a wonderful and helpful big brother.

My husband and I joke that we should not have bought our three year old any toys because they just sit there in a pile. Our son Jack would rather help us around the house. He always right there to clean the "lent" out of the dryer, and he loves to help daddy pick up sticks in our acre yard. Just this past weekend, he was helping my husband wash the cars wearing only his undewear and rain boots. But, here is the most embarrassing reveal. We just learned that Jack is allergic to our cat, and the cat had shed all over our breakfast table rug so my husband who usually does any vaccuming we need said it would be nice if I could get that up for him. So, I realized I had to ask our three year old exactly where daddy keeps the vaccum, and how it worked. Jack told me with pride and guided me a long the way. He even vacuumed. The real kicker was putting the cord back. I said, "Something is not right". And Jack says, "No, mommy the cord goes from here to here. " He was a lifesaver. I had it all messed up. But, I should know not to always listen to a three year old, but hey, he was doing pretty well. He then told me I needed to empty the container, and to push "this button" to do it. The container with hair came undone like he said, but I couldn't get the vaccum back together and had to put it back in the closet in pieces. My husband learned my secret that I didn't know how to use the vaccum so now he thinks I should vacuum more. Thanks Jack!!

We all experience our own ups and downs. This year was difficult for me, but my children light up my life in every meaning of the word. Nightly, we sit and watch Thomas with my two year old daughter and eleven “I am almost too old to watch this” year old son.
I wrote this below to describe all of them (Joey, Bailey and Carlie).
My set of three range in age, but are all useful children. They are what I call “Mommy-pleasers”.

U-Unified and strong-willed; determined to put a smile on Mom’s face daily in a joint group effort.
S-Sensitive to Mom’s needs and instructions.
E-Enormous household helpers
F-Full of generosity and kindness
U-Unwavering ability to light up the room and move adults to action in their presence
L-Love one another and show us daily how nice it is to have a large family

Da-da-da-da-tada…..(Thomas’ theme song)…..

My three year old son, like Thomas, gets into trouble sometimes, but on the whole, he’s a Really Useful Engine. He adores Thomas, requesting Thomas stories before bed, sleeping with his Thomas Engine, and letting Thomas sit next to him at meals. He’s dealt with a lot this past year: starting preschool, the birth of a brother, his daddy’s job loss, his mommy going back to work, and potty training. Through it all, he’s taken his lead from Thomas and proven that friends matter, helping and hard work builds character, and being Really Useful is part of being a family.

My son is 4 1/2 and has a 10 month old sister. He is a superior binky-grabber, cheerio saver and loves those teething toys. More than that when I was laid off in January, he told me that it was the best thing because now I could spend all my time with him. I only wish that I had the insightfulness of a preschooler!

My husband is in the military and my son J.P. who is 3 1/2 and not only keeps me company when my husband is gone but also enjoys helping me out with daily chores. Whether it is dusting or folding laundry. He loves to entertain us and is very useful in keeping us focused on the family. I am thankful for him and our two other children each day.

My son Hunter (2 & 1/2) shows he's the best big helper by giving his little sister (12 mos) toys to play with and hugs when she falls, saying, "I love Emma Robin!". Then it's "I help you Mommy!", as he puts clothes in the dryer, and gets food out of fridge (his favorite part of course is pushing the light button on and off!). He helps "mow the grass" with his push lawn mower that blows bubbles, but the most precious moments I've seen him helping are when he helps Daddy fix things. Whether it's building a shelf or hanging a picture, Hunter's there with his own tools, tool belt, and tape measurer being Daddy's big helper, "It's 2 enkes (inches) Daddy!"

(to the tune of Thomas and His friends)

She’s 4 years old, but acts like eight
Cleaning house or baking cakes
Making cards for those who’re blue
Giving hugs and kisses, too.
Loves to laugh and jump and play
She chases Mommy’s blues away
Sweet and nice and ti-i-dy
She’s a help to me!

Chloe is a helpful one
What I ask her to do, she gets done
Cleans her room in the fastest time
Does it sweetly and never whines
She makes snacks for the workers in the yard
Knows they’re hungry cause they work hard
The sweetest girl you’ll ever meet,
A daughter and a friend to me!

My son Vince is 2 1/2 years old, and is helpful even when he doesn’t realize it. I work two jobs, and am a single parent. As you can imagine my days are long and full of stress. Vince manages to help me by being a constant source of love and hilarity. No matter how long or stressful the day is, I know that he will keep my spirits up by making me laugh or singing me a song. It’s not much, but it keeps this mama going.

My Grandson, Tristan, is a HUGE Thomas fan! He learns to be super helpful by watching Thomas movies. Although he is only 2, he helps his Nana when he stays with her by always cleaning up his toys and sharing with his cousins. His favorite thing to do is help Nana sweep. Papa made him his own broom by shortening one of Nana's old ones. Thomas is a positive influence on Tristan and teaches him wonderful social skills as well.

Bronson is my 3 year old and he loves to help sort socks and because his mom is OCD, he must pick up his toys in his room before he goes to bed. : )

Jameson is my 1 1/2 year old and he LOVES to help me unload the dishwasher.

I am so thankful that I have them in my life and that they WANT to help me when I need it!

I know this is about kids being helpers but I have to give a shout out to my hubby! He always surprises me when I least expect it. Just last night I dreaded walking into the laundry room to put the clothes in the dryer because I KNEW there were clothes already in the dryer that had to be folded first. To my surprise my hubby had already folded them up. It might not seem like a big deal but after a long day with 2 boys, having one less thing to do made my night!!!

I am so blessed to have my husband Eric and my two boys Bronson and Jameson! Thank you Lord!!!

There are many reasons my sons are helpful to me, but my oldest has proven his 'helpfulness' to strangers many times. On two of these occasions, his helpfulness was more like heroism.

Last summer, we were on vacation at Wrightsville Beach. My five year old and I were building sand castles when he suddenly jumped up and ran toward the surf. I chased after him, not understanding why he wasn't stopping when I yelled his name. Before I could catch up to him, he grabbed the hand of an elderly woman who was having a hard time walking out of the water and helped her make it back to the beach. The gratefulness in her smile was all the thanks he needed. He ran back to his sand castle and resumed building.

His second act of heroism was just last month. We moved to NC in December and were immediately adopted by an older couple that lives behind us. We went over for a visit during Easter and Beaux started yelling about smelling a gas leak. Assuming my five year old knew nothing about the smell of natural gas, I ignored his cries for me to come upstairs and smell. Finally, after numerous attempts on his part, my neighbor asked me to please go look because it would ease her worries. As soon as I walked up to their indoor air handling unit, I could smell the leak. I shut off the gas and we called the gas company to fix the leak.

Beaux is now heralded as the hero in our neighborhood!

But he's my hero everyday.

~Amo~

Daniel is now 6 and loves to help do everything. His Grandma lived with us when he was born and until she passed when he was 2 1/2 he was very close to her and worked along with her whatever she did he was helping. He is still that way. No matter if you are in the house cooking he is cooking, laundry he can do it just as well as Mommy. Cleaning he is there to do whatever. Go outside and he will do the same he loves to take things apart to see how they work. He hangs up clothes outside. He is fun loving and loves to be busy whether it is working or playing. He is a great secret keeper. Just don't let anyone do anything wrong because he won't let them get away with that. He is just a great little man. My Daniel I will miss him very much when he goes to school in the fall. He is a friend and our youngest son. We love him very much.

Daniel is now 6 and loves to help do everything. His Grandma lived with us when he was born and until she passed when he was 2 1/2 he was very close to her and worked along with her whatever she did he was helping. He is still that way. No matter if you are in the house cooking he is cooking, laundry he can do it just as well as Mommy. Cleaning he is there to do whatever. Go outside and he will do the same he loves to take things apart to see how they work. He hangs up clothes outside. He is fun loving and loves to be busy whether it is working or playing. He is a great secret keeper. Just don't let anyone do anything wrong because he won't let them get away with that. He is just a great little man. My Daniel I will miss him very much when he goes to school in the fall. He is a friend and our youngest son. We love him very much.

Patrick, age 4, is a most enthusiastic helper! He likes to be Daddy's right hand man, as well as Mommy's. He will forego playing to help us, whether we ask or not. He even helps with a big smile! He is a middle child, who helps with his baby sister, and quite often is a bigger help than his 9 year old brother. We can give him age appropriate jobs and walk away knowing he will complete the task and do a good job of it. It is a joy having him by our side!

My six year old little girl is the best helper a mom could ask for. I work 50 hours a week and have a hard time keeping a clean house and caring for my 16 month old. Kaitlyn isn't happy unless she is helping someone, she always asks WHAT CAN I Do!!! She helps feed,bathe,and keep her sister busy while I try to get things done. She loves to wash dishes and clothes. Its so bad my 16 month old thinks she has to help by putting the clothes in the washer. She cares for our three dogs daily by feeding, bathing and brushing. The best help of all is trying to help her sister by taking naps with her so I dont have to lay down with her. Every mom needs one of these little helpers!!!

I had always thought of preschoolers as self-involved and incapable of feeling empathy. But in constant observation of my four-year-old son, I now realize my assumption couldn’t have been more wrong. My son was always the timid “momma’s boy” as a toddler. But I’ve watched his personality sprout (along with his height) as he has grown into a preschooler with a big heart. His teachers surprise me with stories of how he comforts other children who are feeling sad some days without their moms or how he sometimes helps a disconcerted child complete a puzzle with which my son has had some practice. Most surprising to me was how he responded to my mother-in-law’s failing health as she approached the end of her year-long battle with terminal cancer. Though we never filled in our children on the true state of her health, my son seemed to suspect the worst. We had booked the first available flight to be at her bedside as she began to fail, assuring my son that she was merely suffering a bad bellyache. Still, he seemed to grasp what she was enduring and what she needed most: while we chatted naturally, sharing our news and telling her how well she looked (despite the grave diagnosis), my son quietly took her hand and lovingly stroked it. A look of peaceful ease overtook her in that moment. "Yes," I thought, "our boy’s a useful boy indeed."

My son has fell in love with thomas the train tank engines. Now here are the ways my son is useful to others. Bryson, my son, has always been different from most kids. He loves to clean, he puts his toys up and if he sees trash on the floor he puts it in the trash can. We have never had a problem with him picking things up and putting them in his mouth he has always tried to help pick up things around the house. My mother, who was our babysitter recently fell and broke her arm, which as hard as it was on her, we were having trouble working and finding help to keep our son. Bryson shined through though. We had a family friend that helps us watch him at times and when Bryson goes over there he has such manners saying thank you and please. He even sets example for her child that is older to act more politly. Bryson loves to vacuum and help grandpa in the yard picking up pine combs. If Bryson sees us doing something around the house he jumps right in to help. This child has been a blessing to us all, he even helps my mother who broke her arm, around the house by picking up trash and bringing her items when she cant get up to get them. He is also useful in the every day things like diaper changes he helps his granny by getting the items and being a good boy while she changes his diaper. Bryson is only 2 years and 3 months but he is so bright and i know that his eyes would just light up when he sees Thomas on stage. More ways my son is useful is by bringing his juice cups to us when he is done with them so we can put them up. He is very independent and very polite when ever we go out. Sometimes I dont know how a child this good came to us! But what makes me smile the most, is when i ask him why he loves Thomas the tank engine, he says " becouse he helps!" Thank you for your time, the MILLER family.

My sons are useful in a very unique way. They are the only thing that can get me through the drudgery of a fourteen hour day. The thought of their smiling faces and open arms that greet me after arriving home allow me to endure a two job existence. It may be a long day but I always seem to have the energy to race cars, play trains, and read that last bed time story. I have to start all over again the next day but the good night hugs, kisses, and I love yous push me out of bed when that alarm goes off the very next day.

Like Thomas, Kiersten is a truly useful engine at home around our depot and everywhere else she chugs. Although only two, this second mommy is a great babysitter, reporting things like, “Karissa’s drinking cat water,” and “Karissa’s eating rocks!” She also brings her baby sister toys, spoon-feeds her, and comforts her when she cries (“It’s okay, honey, I’m here. Don’t cry. I know you’re tired…”). Kiersten helps at the store by pushing her mini grocery cart, placing items out of her cart onto the conveyer belt, and returning her cart in the cart return! Mommy couldn’t do it without her!

I feel my son is the most useful child because as a single dad he is always helping me do things. If I am up sweeping he wants me to get the other broom for him to sweep. When I am cooking he always wants to help me by getting me things such as pans, bowls, or plates that I may need. He is always saying " I help." But he is most useful because he helps me get through a recent seperation. He is the happiness and joy of each morning when I get up and night when I go to bed.

my preciuos babies nicky - two yrs old an stan - five yrs old are the most useful children to me because they give me a reason each day to keep going no matter what hardship may come.they bring me tokens of love often-a flower-a hug -a paper with scribbles-all to say we love you. they put away grocerys for me -yes frozen peas go in the pantry dont you know.at christmas they made an delivered goody bags to the nursing home -they hand delivered each one with a hug an a smile an a merry tismas!

Joshua is 5 years old. He is remarkably useful at helping me to remember the finer things in life. Joshua has an infectious laugh and a zeal for life. He stops to pick ladybugs off blades of grass, talks kindly to strangers, and never meets a puppy he doesn't love. He is the best at sharing things with his 3 year old brother. Joshua has been a huge Thomas fan since he was 18 months old. We have considered the train a member of our family for 3 years and would love the opportunity to see him on stage.

I would like my daughter and children to win the tickets because of what they do for me.  I have terminal cancer and my daughter and husband takes care of me.  The children are 5 and 7  and they are also always doing nice  things to help me. 

I think it would be wonderful if the children were recognized for the loving care they give to me.  I hope you will consider them for the tickets    I am not sure how long I have to live but this would be a great reward for them.

Edith Huber 

Benjamin is my "really useful" son in so many ways. He and his grandma have been buddies since grandma came to live with us. Every evening he reminds her to take her "pillows" (pills). He sleeps with her and wraps his arms around her all night so that she feels loved. Benjamin is full of love and joy, and always brings a smile to his grandma's face. Every day Benjamin uses his special gifts of spreading love and making grandma laugh to make grandma feel precious, loved and needed. In this way, and so many others, Benjamin is indeed very useful!

THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED. WINNERS TO BE NOTIFIED SHORTLY.