The Gift of Work

My parents gave me a Ford Mustang when I turned sixteen.  It was a pretty car and I had some fun times driving around in that little thing.  I also did some pretty dumb things.  Some dumb things that led to my parents selling that mighty fine car before my 17th birthday.

Sad story.

It might have been one of the best things they ever did for me though.  I was stuck living very far out and if I wanted to do anything, I had to find a friend who was willing to pick me up, or on some days, my parents let me borrow their cars.   ( I know, rough life, right?? ;))

My parents made a deal with me that I could work for them until I earned enough money to put down a down payment for another car, and once I was able to do that, I would be responsible for the payments.  It was summertime and they would wake me up at some unreasonable hour, (like 7am, gasp!), and they would give me jobs like painting fence posts, pulling weeds, mowing, weed eating, etc.  I hated it and thought it was so unfair, but then something happened.  I started to appreciate the value of manual labor.  I started to enjoy finishing projects and gaining a sense of accomplishment. 

Fast forward to my life now, and I still value and appreciate manual labor.  I don't do it as much as I wish I did because I am lazy, hard to motivate, and I have three little ones, but when I do get my hands dirty,  wether it be from digging in the dirt or what have you, I love the way it feels to have a sore body from getting things done!  I love working so intently that you forget to stop and eat.  I love the fresh perspective that manual labor gives me on things.

I have been thinking about ways to give my boys the "gift of work."  They are still so young and I can think of lots of jobs for them to have when they get older,  but I can't think of much for this age.  Do you have any suggestions?? 

And don't worry, I believe in the "gift of play" also!