I TEACH MY KIDS TO WORK BECAUSE…

I TEACH MY KIDS TO WORK BECAUSE…

I, myself acquired excellent work ethics from HARD WORK as my siblings and I grew up working for our parents in the store. We thought it was harsh for them to deny us for college tuition and privileges if we fail to contribute our time and effort in the business. My parents are both entrepreneurs of an empire they slowly built from rags 40 years ago. My dad who once worked for a Chinese capitalist learned the tricks of the trade, established relationships with suppliers and upheld the value of the secret to success, that was never really a secret to start with, that is and has always been HARD WORK.

I TEACH MY KIDS TO WORK BECAUSE…

Delayed gratification is always more gratifying than instant rewards. If they learn to wait for their paycheck by the end of the week, they will also determine to plan and to take control of how much they will be able to earn. No amount of my advice will suffice even if I keep on telling them since the day they were born but if they see and experience it firsthand, they will know that HARD WORK is directly proportional to rewards.

I TEACH MY KIDS TO WORK BECAUSE…

The smile on my daughter's face as she receives the paycheck that week because she will then be able to pay for a favorite book is so, so, so precious. Her $7 from washing windows, mopping the floor and writing songs are worth more than anything to her because she said, “I worked so hard for this.” It happened last week but the thought of it still makes my eyes mist over.

I TEACH MY KIDS TO WORK BECAUSE…

They must never feel “Entitled” to anything they have not worked hard for. Entitlement is not a shortcut to being amazing, extraordinary and competent. If I fed and dressed my children in a way that mothers ought to but I forgot to teach them values that will last a lifetime, then I fail. If I raised intelligent, articulate and poised individuals but I miss to teach them HARD WORK, then I doubt they will become the best of who God wants them to be. As much as possible, it is my duty to keep my kids from the thought of “getting everything they want” at bay if I want them to grow to be more than mediocre.

I TEACH MY KIDS TO WORK BECAUSE…

It keeps them grounded. They can have all the desires of their heart but when they haven’t worked hard for it, so they can't afford it, and then they will learn not to want it.

I TEACH MY KIDS TO WORK BECAUSE…

I am far from being a super mother. So unless they want to hear constant bellowing, somebody's got to help me with chores. It will perhaps drain me and my husband if we do everything for them. “Bored” is not an acceptable vocabulary in our household so there’s always dust to wipe, dishes to wash and books to read. 

I TEACH MY KIDS TO WORK BECAUSE…

I love them with all my heart. This value will never depart from them so that even when I'm gone, they will be able to find something to eat. 

I TEACH MY KIDS TO WORK BECAUSE…

Of the treasures in this mundane: Killing three (not two) birds with one stone; we finish a task while I steadily keep an eye on them and get to spend quality time together.

How about you? Why do you teach your kids to work? I would love to hear from you…

Love,

Maria (Ehma) Porpio