Should children be made to work?

I was on the blog of a Christian author, and she was writing about how we need to teach our children to work.  I was amazed at one of the comments from a reader.  The person was so upset that there are people in the world who make their children work.  She said that childhood is a time for playing.  She was really bent out of shape and felt that it was a great disservice to a child to make them work.

Emily taking care of her chickens

 I laughed as I read the comment.  My children are all hard workers.  And what ignorant people, like the woman commenting on the blog, don't understand is that children who work hard and live productive lives are very happy children.  It is very rare for my children to wake up grumpy or even want to stay in bed.  They are happy and look forward to life.  I am not saying there is never a bad attitude, but it is rare to see my children feeling down or unhappy.

Boys helping dad pour concrete

  

Brandon mowing the lawn

Jonny cutting chicken throats

People that see work as a crime against children are most likely lazy people themselves.  In our home work is fun!  My husband and I love to work.  And if given the chance, most kids will like work too.  But if dad always sits on the couch watching television and mom always sits in front of the computer on Facebook, the children are not going to naturally think, "I should do the laundry and wash the floors."  They will want to self-indulge too!  And if they are made to work while mom and dad are being lazy, they will become bitter.

Mike and Jonny working on the sugar shack

Mike and Ben cutting off chicken feet

Apple picking day with friends and family

Ben changing the oil in his four wheeler - with Brandon's help

Emily showing of her baked goods

Brandon, Em, and Ben showing off the harvest

Ben with all his potatoes

What little girl will pass on baking with her mommy so that she can go play by herself in the playhouse?  Why play make-believe when you can do the real thing?  And what little boy will want to play with blocks when he can help daddy build something with a real hammer and real nails?  A child who is included in adult activities knows they are loved.  If you want your children to be confident and content, then include them in all you do.  Children who are pushed aside are angry, unhappy children.


Em and Jonny working in the garden

Ben mowing the lawn

Ben and Jonny choppin' chicken heads

Em watering the garden

Furthermore what girl, when considering a husband, says with a starry look in her eye, "I hope my husband is lazy."  No woman wants a lazy husband!!  Yet there are parents training their boys to play, play, play.  Then when the boy becomes a man (or maybe I should say...when he gets older), the parents will despise him for not being able to hold a job.  People have always admired my boys (and my daughter) because they are such good workers.  I told my oldest son that he will never have a hard time finding a job because employers are always looking for hard workers.  And he never has struggled to find work or keep a job! 

Ben, Jonny, and a friend (RJ) gutting our chickens

Yes, children need play time.  So do adults!  We love to play with our kids.  Family games and family sports are something we do regularly.  After all, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.  But let's not forget that all play and no work makes Jack a lazy, unhappy, ungrateful, unproductive, bored, confused, and depressed citizen.  It will also make him a good socialist! :)

Boys playing army

A ride in the boat Brandon made

Two fierce Indians

The boys on their contraption

Riding four wheelers together



Making a brick oven



Hunting together

Four wheeler fun!

Time for target practice

We just really like our kids and want to be with them!  We play together, pray together, laugh together, cry together, work together, and enjoy an exciting productive life together!  The bottom line is, life is work, and I want my children to enjoy life! ...and they do! :)



Mama lovin' on Jonny