Work – Teach it – Day 8 {Intentional Parenting}

This is one of those posts that would be easier to not write, but it needs to be written, and so I’m writing. Is it as fun as the rest? Probably not. Is it as important? Yes. And yes, it’s not the one referenced yesterday — it’s another one influenced by life. If you’re new here we’re in the midst of a 10 Days of Intentional Parenting Series. To start on day one click awake.

Yesterday, I was out shopping in hopes of finding something perfect to wear for my upcoming trip to Washington DC for the Titus 2:1 Conference. As I pushed shirt after shirt over the silver rod I couldn’t help overhearing a conversation between several people. It was about teenagers. And work.

And honestly, deep down, entitlement.

At one point a women shared words {very loudly} about how she purchased a $3300 used car for her 17 year old daughter. And in the same breath she expressed how her daughter won’t drive the car because she was embarrassed to drive it because it was old and her friends got new ones. {please note: i changed the details slightly for privacy reasons}

Sigh.

Work is good, mothers.

We must teach our children to value work.

That is intentional parenting.

If we decide to overlook the value in working hard we risk the possibility of raising children who don’t place as much value on things and relationships. This world needs people willing to work hard – to work with pride and diligence and not as much complaining or expecting to just get stuff. When I think of the car incident above it honestly makes me feel a bit sick. When did we allow ourselves to become a generation of parents who bend, cater, fold, and forget to say no to our children?  I’m not saying that we can’t say yes, but I’m talking about the absolute importance of being intentional about teaching our children to respect work and to not take things for granted.

Caring about their hearts means also being willing to teach them how to work, how to appreciate things, how to be respectful, how to value what their parents do, and that sometimes we simply must push through hard stuff. Someday, those little babes and toddlers and preschoolers and grade schoolers and middle schoolers and highschoolers will be adults. Either they learn to work now or they learn as adults.

Work is part of life – we can teach them to value good hard work.

Please bring the dishes over to the sink.
Always put your clothes in the hamper.
Carry the garbage out when it’s full.
Keep your room clean.
Make your bed in the morning.
Thank you for helping.
I appreciate when you clean up.
Let’s work together.
I value how much you contribute to this family.

These things matter. They totally and completely matter.

Do not be afraid to teach them.
Do not be afraid to say no to them.
Do not be afraid to have them work.

We are their mothers.

We set the bar. Set it low or set it high.

Mothers, please join me in raising a generation of children who are valued and who are also taught the value of work.

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Today’s journal download includes an opportunity for you to begin looking at things in your home where you can be intentional about teaching your children how to work. Honestly, they want to be involved, they want to feel important, they watch us and want to learn. If we start when they’re young then it becomes part of life. There’s a shorter parent child activity – encouragement for inviting your children to share in chores with you and some thoughts examining your view on work.

Only 2 Days to go. Can you believe it? I’ve been so blessed writing this {though I have not had much sleep} and wanted to thank you for your support. Tomorrow? We’ll be talking about family and why creating family ties truly matter and then on Friday we’ll be concluding with a post titled Celebrate. Make sure to take your 10minutes of intentional time today as well.

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The 10 Days Series is organized by iHomeschool Network, a collaboration of outstanding homeschool bloggers who connect with each other and with family-friendly companies in mutually beneficial projects.Visit us on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. And of course, click the image below to visit all the 10 Days posts from these homeschool moms of the iHomeschool Network. You’ll be blessed with almost 300 posts on things ranging from  how to handle bad days to cultivating curiosity and teaching with Legos to cooking some fabulous gluten free/wheat free meals. Click the photograph to visit the iHomeschool Network site with links to all participants!