When I was growing up, we had a family friend named Brent and he used to say about my very German family: “In your house, you are only worth what you work.”
For me, that would not have made me worth very much since, compared with my sister, I was not the industrious one. Take going berry picking as an example.
Every summer, starting in fourth grade, we got up at 4:30 am to eat breakfast, walk 3/4 of a mile to catch a rickety old yellow school bus that took us out to Estacada or Hillsboro to pick berries for money.
I love strawberries and for every strawberry that made it into my flat, two would go into my mouth. In the end, I’d have one flat for every two flats my sister picked, so needless to say, she’d end up with a lot more money than I would.
But, it taught us the value of work. At home, we’d have to do dishes and set the table and sweep the floor and clean our rooms and water plants, and of course doing well in school and sports was an expected given.
While, I am careful not to associate worth with work, I am grateful that my parents taught us the value of working hard.
Which, we try to do with our kids as well.
Teach your children to work.
And, the best and only way to teach them to work is to begin early. When they are young, work is fun. Cleaning their room can be a game and unloading the silverware a puzzle-solving task and vacuuming is using a tool.
We emphasize that we are a family and every member of our family is important. Regular chores like doing dishes, sweeping the floors, and vacuuming are part of life. But, as they get older, we like to pay my kids to do certain household tasks that are over and above the usual, like washing windows and power washing the deck.
When kids learn the art of work, they realize that they are a valued part of your family, and that they are capable people. They gain self-esteem and a strong work ethic; later in life, when they are employed outside of the home, employers will notice.
Work. It’s not what they are worth, but it is worth it to teach our kids the importance of work.
Day 12: Go on outdoor adventures with your kids
