K
kage_ar
Guest
DS is an athlete, and is the kind of kid who makes himself a protein shake for breakfast – goes for long runs and longer mountain bike rides every day. When he has a bad day at school or tiff with a friend (as all kids do) – our son will go lift weights for an hour or mow part of the lawn to vent his frustrations. Sure, he loves his video games – but, never fell into the couch potato lifestyle.
Frankly, there never was any big secret or turn around – our family is more of a cross functional team, (remember, for the past 5 years my DH has been a stay-at-home dad) – so, the idea of everyone working to achieve the goal (laundry done, living room clean, etc.) is part of our daily life. Of course, DS is not a saint and he has had periods when he did not want to do some thing that was his “job” – and he would go that week without allowance, privileges, games, etc. No questions, no arguing – in order to have the fun part of family life and a full pocket for extras, you do your job.
Growing up as I did in a very non-traditional family – we worked as a team, so this is “normal” for me. My dad has been full time in the evangelism field his entire life, as he married and had children, the family lived that life. We spent on average of 20 days per month on the road – but there were times when we would not be home for 60+ days, living in an RV going from congregation to congregation, town to town, coast to coast – 100% home schooled, 4 kids, mom & dad and at least 2 dogs J EVERYONE had a job, from the time I was 10 – I was in charge of setup and tear down/load out of our sound system and instruments. When we were home, by the time we were early teens, we each did our own laundry and each had assigned housekeeping tasks. We also worked in the office of our parents. We earned our allowances and extra pay for extra tasks.
This gave me a real work ethic, and our son is now exhibiting the same (neighbors like to hire him to help out because he is a dependable hard worker).
Speaking of husbands, when DH and I were first married, he could not write a check, run a washing machine or cook anything. He was raised by June Cleaver J When I became disabled for almost a year, DH had a fast education in domestic science. My MIL now says she knows she did her sons a disservice by not teaching them how to cook and clean, and just beams when she hears about her grandson cooking something.
I’ve rambled on and on, but, bottom line – no work = no $$, no car (or being driven around), no phone, no games, no fancy Axe cologne spray (my son bathes in that stuff) - it works so well on teen boys! Light a fire in their pocketbooks J
Frankly, there never was any big secret or turn around – our family is more of a cross functional team, (remember, for the past 5 years my DH has been a stay-at-home dad) – so, the idea of everyone working to achieve the goal (laundry done, living room clean, etc.) is part of our daily life. Of course, DS is not a saint and he has had periods when he did not want to do some thing that was his “job” – and he would go that week without allowance, privileges, games, etc. No questions, no arguing – in order to have the fun part of family life and a full pocket for extras, you do your job.
Growing up as I did in a very non-traditional family – we worked as a team, so this is “normal” for me. My dad has been full time in the evangelism field his entire life, as he married and had children, the family lived that life. We spent on average of 20 days per month on the road – but there were times when we would not be home for 60+ days, living in an RV going from congregation to congregation, town to town, coast to coast – 100% home schooled, 4 kids, mom & dad and at least 2 dogs J EVERYONE had a job, from the time I was 10 – I was in charge of setup and tear down/load out of our sound system and instruments. When we were home, by the time we were early teens, we each did our own laundry and each had assigned housekeeping tasks. We also worked in the office of our parents. We earned our allowances and extra pay for extra tasks.
This gave me a real work ethic, and our son is now exhibiting the same (neighbors like to hire him to help out because he is a dependable hard worker).
Speaking of husbands, when DH and I were first married, he could not write a check, run a washing machine or cook anything. He was raised by June Cleaver J When I became disabled for almost a year, DH had a fast education in domestic science. My MIL now says she knows she did her sons a disservice by not teaching them how to cook and clean, and just beams when she hears about her grandson cooking something.
I’ve rambled on and on, but, bottom line – no work = no $$, no car (or being driven around), no phone, no games, no fancy Axe cologne spray (my son bathes in that stuff) - it works so well on teen boys! Light a fire in their pocketbooks J
It is my goal to “organize” everything in here eventually. This room is mostly my husband’s, though, and he’s not exactly tidy.
—KCT
I miss having girls around, My daughter and little sister were so helpful, since they both married it’s been ME, cleaning up after my husband, two sons, father and even our dog is male!!!
They are slobs, think the kitchen is an all-night diner. Going “on strike” doesn’t work because they would live like that. I tried it already. But I love them all. :whacky:
and I will have a hard time not “coveting” you all that do…
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“I’m sorry I can’t take you to ___, but I’m busy trying to get ___ done.” “Well, I’m sorry all your underwear is dirty, here’s the detergent and there’s the washer.” **
