It's take your daughter to work day

Today is the annual take your daughters (and sons) to work day. In conference rooms across corporate America our children are getting a glimpse of what Dad and Mom do all day. Which is great, because too many kids think that money grows on trees.

But, why only expose them to actual work for one day a year? We should take this opportunity to instill in them a desire to contribute to the betterment of our families. Not by consigning them to nineteenth century style sweatshops, but by giving them responsibility for tasks associated with their daily lives. In other words -- Chores.

Sophie has always liked to help out. We recently formalized the arrangement when she expressed a desire to have some spending money (to buy more Webkinz, naturally). We told her that she could earn a weekly allowance by making sure she made her bed every day, picked up her dirty clothes and put them in the hamper, fed her fish, and watered the houseplants. She now does all of that, and more, with enthusiasm. When I hand her $5 each Saturday she is totally psyched. Tammy also pays her an extra dollar or 2 for special jobs like helping put away the groceries.

One big complaint of parents today is that kids are too spoiled (not their own kids mind you, other people's kids). These same parents pass out $20 bills with nary a second thought, and then go around cleaning up while their little angels play the latest X-Box game. I'm not going to let Sophie become a teenage chore slacker! Regardless of how much homework she gets, or how many activities she participates in, she'll always have chores that will have to be done. It's a great way to teach her to prioritize and effectively manage her time.

It's also much more satisfying to earn something you want than it is to have it just handed to you. Kids learn to respect their stuff when they have to work to pay for it. The toys Sophie has bought with her allowance are the toys she plays with the most, and they're always put away in the proper place.

The other benefit of assigning her chores is that she is more willing to assist Mom or Dad with our daily chores too. It's natural for all of us to work together; and Sophie really likes to learn how to do what we're doing. It is a wonderful bonding opportunity for us. And when she says "I can do it" I just feel so proud.

Those are the childhood memories she'll cherish -- doing things side by side with Mom or Dad; not a one day staged event in a windowless conference room.

Posted at 15:21 by Chris Wysocki   [/sophie]   Comments | Perm Link |   |   Tweet