Lazy Problem? How to Motivate Kids to Be Productive, Get Jobs
Introducing "Mom Says/Dad Says," an exclusive Christian parental advice column by Gregory Slayton, former U.S. Ambassador to Bermuda and author of the best-selling book Be a Better Dad Today: Ten Tools Every Father Needs, and his wife, Marina Slayton, author of the new book Be The Best Mom You Can Be. The Slaytons have been featured on Fox and Friends, Focus on the Family Radio and numerous other media outlets. They donate 100% of their royalties from parenting books to fatherhood and family non-profits.
Senators John McCain and Joe Lieberman, Governors Jeb Bush and Sam Brownback and Pastors Tim Keller and Luis Palau, among others, have endorsed the Slaytons. In their exclusive series for The Christian Post, both Marina and Gregory will answer thoughtful Christian parents seeking to raise their children up in the goodness of the Gospel and the Glory of God. If you would like to have Marina and Gregory answer your questions, please contact them via momsaysdadsays@christianpost.com.
Parent's Question: Our children are too old for camp – at least in their opinion – and they were too lazy or unmotivated for summer jobs. They lazed around the house with too much time in front of electronic screens – or they kept asking us for "frozen yogurt and movie" money. My wife thinks I am being too harsh, but I don't think so. What can we do differently next summer so we don't have a repeat of this irritating display of indolence?
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Mom Says: To be fair to kids today, the list of jobs that were available to us has shrunk: no paperboy or girl jobs for example. But I also think that kids are more decadent these days. My daughter never wanted to babysit because she gets bored with young children. My boys get bored with tedious chores which is often what youngsters are given to do. But our kids have to learn that work is not entertainment. Almost all jobs are at times boring ... that's why they call it work.
Earning money and learning how to take care of money are critical life lessons. All kids need to learn these lessons. A summer job is a great way to start.
Work and responsibility create maturity and character. At times we had to push some of our kids out the door to work and we have never regretted doing so.
Brainstorm with your kids about what they could do next summer. Your kid is a good swimmer – well,what about becoming a life guard? She loves tennis – what about becoming a tennis instructor? Maybe your favorite restaurant needs a part time waitress?
The first job is never easy to get. We need to help our kids in that. But get a job and learn how to support themselves... they must.
You are smart to start thinking about next summer. Develop a summer work plan with each of your kids. What do they hope to do? How might they get that kind of job? Then help them execute their plan, helping in appropriate ways. In doing so you will teach your kids that not only hard work but good planning bears good fruit. And hopefully your kids will learn the pride that comes from a job well done.
Dad Says: A healthy respect for hard work is one of the best things we can teach our children. In our post-Christian culture where entertainment is taking over everything that is not easy. But if our children are to grow up to take care of themselves and others, it is essential.
So here are three things we do at home to help our children develop a healthy respect for work (and even an enjoyment of it).
1. Set a good example. If I'm always complaining about my job, what does that tell my children about work? But helping my children understand the reality of my job, including the fact that it puts bread on the table for our family, is an important lesson for them.
2. Talk about your job and other jobs with your kid. It's a big world out there. What would she love to do? Help you kids understand that there are thousands of different jobs out there, from apple farmer to zookeeper. Put them on the path to do something they love. "The person who loves his job doesn't have to work a day in his life."
3. Help them from an early age and celebrate their work victories. Set up a lemonade stand. Wash the neighbors' cars. Cat sitting. Whatever it is. Help them get going...and then celebrate their victories.
This dad above who asked the question is 100% right. Letting our kids bum around all summer is not good for anyone. Let's help our kids develop a respect and appreciation for hard work from a young age. They will thank us for it.
