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Allowing children to participate in hard work has numerous advantages. Children who work hard gain many rewards, including life skills, endurance, teamwork, and more. Here are a couple such examples:
I’m picturing the “good old days,” when kids were chopping firewood as soon as they could grasp an axe.
As soon as a child was old enough to understand what was expected of them, they were raking stalls and carrying heavy buckets of feed or water.
For many, the times have truly changed. But… has the requirement for children to participate in “work” changed?
I’m not saying it’s a good idea, or even safe, to let your youngster cut wood in the backyard with a sharp axe.
In any event, you probably don’t need the firewood to be warm this winter. So, perhaps there are other activities that children can engage in to be productive and learn.
Hard Work Teaches Work Ethic
So, how can modern mothers instil a strong work ethic in their children, who “in fact” don’t have to lift a finger to get things done?
First and foremost, I would want to suggest that working hard for children is both important and enjoyable. Here are just a handful of the advantages:
- teaches cooperation
- Builds physical strength Encourages material appreciation Provides experiences and life skills
- Teaches the value of time and provides a sense of accomplishment and belonging
It is evident that children gain from “hard effort.” So, let’s have a look at some samples of how this would look for today’s children.
Chores
There are numerous viewpoints on requiring children to engage in home duties. I feel it is critical to teach children (even at a young age) to be contributing members of the household.
Work pays off…
Whether you’re going to pay an allowance, take it away if they don’t complete tasks, or simply have your children do what has to be done… Chores and life satisfaction have a strong relationship.
Whether you believe it or not.
Imagine turning 19, starting college, and learning that All Those Things Your Mama Did Aren’t Getting Done Anymore. And you have no idea how to accomplish them.
And you feel superior to them. Then you lack motivation.
And you’re not used to doing anything that doesn’t provide immediate gratification.
This is a formula for a complete disaster. As well as worry. I believe you get my point.
Assigning household duties is thus a good approach to get kids started on hard labour. I’ve discovered that when I involve my children in the upkeep of our home, I feel more calm and they take a greater interest in keeping it tidy.
Yard Work
Yard work is not an easy task. It is demanding labour. Working in the garden or yard can be therapeutic for some mothers. It’s a drain and a pain for others.
In either case, involving the children in raking, cleaning up, pulling branches, or hauling yard items around can be a fun way to teach them about hard labour.
This is due in part to the elements. As an example,
Work ethic can be taught on a hot day because “we don’t give up when we’re hot and exhausted.”
“The task has to get done even if we’re a little cold,” he says on a cooler day.
Working With Parents
Many parents fall victim to…
“It’s too difficult for the kids, so I’ll do it myself.”
What if… The point is that “hard work” must be taught and done with patience. The point is to let them struggle.
Lessons in endurance, fortification, self-actualization, and confidence are learned via hardship and, eventually, triumph.
So, instead of identifying your children’s flaws and shoving them aside to get the job done, look for ways to delegate authority to them.
Those who work hard get rewarded.
Physical Work Kids Can Do
- Carry groceries inside
- Carry laundry baskets
- Watering plants
- Unload the car
- Put dishes away
- Push open doors (for younger children)
- Carry mail packages into the house
- Rake leaves
- Push a wheelbarrow
- Collect broken branches
- Dust
- Shovel snow
- Dig a hole
- Take out the garbage
- Mop/vacuum/sweep
Bottom Line
Many children get obsessed with a single sport. They are obsessed with the sport. If a parent is going to do all the hard work of driving, schlepping, buying equipment, and waiting on the sidelines for half their life… then a child can do their fair share.
They may give up time at home for this, so it must offer lessons as well as be enjoyable.
Make them clean and maintain their own equipment.
Their uniforms should be cleaned and washed.
Devote time outside of their regular practise to enhancing their own abilities.
So, provide opportunities for children to be physically challenged.
Allow them to demonstrate and strengthen their work ethic.
