Now, at the time, I was not quite as appreciative.
I remember waking up as a kid on a Saturday morning,
making grand plans for the day.
I would play in the tree house,
catch some frogs,
dig a mud hole for my plastic army men
and then look for lizards.
{yes, I was ever-so-slightly a tom boy}
And I remember being so bummed
to find a list of chores that had to get done
before I could go on with my grand plans.
I mumbled,
I grumbled,
and I went about mowing the lawn,
picking the weeds,
taking out the trash
and doing my own laundry.
As I got older,
my Momma continued with these same principles.
The day I turned 16,
she drove me around our small town and said,
Where do you see yourself working?
Where do you think you would have fun?
I remember leading her to a Color Me Mine ceramic studio
just a few blocks from our house.
The next day, I had my first job.
Every day that followed,
through high school
and college,
I had a job,
I did my own laundry,
and I helped around the house.
Sure I griped at times.
I wasn’t perfect,
but I was learning.
For my Momma,
it wasn’t about the money,
it was about the responsibility.
About the life lessons I would learn.
The character I would build.
About the value of a dollar,
and the importance of managing my earnings.
I can only hope to be able to instill the same values within my kiddos.
But it’s hard.
Things are different from when I was a kid.
There are more distractions today:
video games, iPhones, Internet, facebook, blah blah blah.
And while today I worry about
nap time, feeding schedule, Goodnight Moon and teething,
before I know it,
I’ll be focusing my energy
on teaching Baby W
responsibility,
accountability,
and the value of hard work.
But, I’ll need help.
Enter my latest magnificent discovery:
My Job Chart
It rocks.
It solves problems.
It makes a parents life easier.
It builds character in our kiddos.
It’s FREE.
It’s Online.
It’s easy to use.
It teaches our kiddos how to save, share and spend.
And the world needs more awesomeness
like My Job Chart—
because us parents could use a hand every now and then!
If you are a parent who worries like me,
or if you want your kids to know the value of hard work,
then watch this 2 minute video and visit My Job Chart.
It will take about a million pounds off your shoulders–I’m serious.
How MyJobChart.com Works! from Gregg Murset on Vimeo.
Basically the BEST idea EVER!
Check it:
Cyndi B
Someone listened to the lesson in Relief Society to day (Did you have the lesson about work today too?)
Jayna Rae
I am in the midst of a parenting bible study and one thing that they say is important to raiding your kids up properly is responsibility from a young age. It sounds like this site will be a perfect aide in that goal. Thank you for sharing.
Audrey Crisp
So cute! I love those old pics of you! You were a babe! I agree about the value of hard work. I
use to gripe about it back in the day, but now I
appreciate the life lessons!!! That online job chart looks really helpful!
Shahny
First of all you both are gorgeous ladies!!
My parents taught me the value of hard work. I will be ever so grateful as well 🙂
Jbenz
great blog, and thanks for the link! i'll defintely be looking at this with my 7 year old 🙂
-JBenz
Chrissy @ Boerman Ramblings
You momma should be so proud of you. you both are such great women!
Thanks for the link will be checking it out soon.
Lindsay
Your momma should be so proud of you! What a great little tool…OFF to go check it out 🙂
Jennifer
What a great idea. Checking it out now!
Jen
Janeen
Hi, new follower sent over my Love Stitched today. I love your blog it's so cute I can't wait to check back more often.
melinda
HI! recent new follower…..this is a great post! and it sounds just like my family when i was growing up. i didn't like it at the time, but looking back it has shaped me to who i am today 🙂
xoxo
Jamie
Wow, you look just like your Mom! Two very beautiful ladies.
Jen Staffeldt
What is your 'family' blog?
Steph
What an inspiring post! You have a great example to follow in your mom.
My parents loved me and taught me a lot, but they also didn't give me much responsibility as a kid. My mom's best friend summed it up recently, saying to me "You turned out to be such a good mom, even though your parents did everything for you." I wasn't insulted…it was the truth! This is one of few things I hope to do differently with my girls.
Thanks for your story and for the job chart recommendation!
Rhiannon
I completely agree! my mum and dad were the same with me, and now even though my daughter is only 2 I'm beginning to teach her. I made a young child friendly version here http://myhandcraftedhome.blogspot.com/2011/02/starting-em-young.html if you wanted to check it out? though forgive the poor lighting, I have to do my crafting when she's in bed! 🙂
love your blog, it so honest and makes me feel normal!
Jessica
Ok, your baby picture looks like baby W! So cute! And your homecoming picture you are gorgeous! I was a wreck in high school! I look back and laugh now, I let the tom boy years go through high school! ahhh!
Good post, I will be teaching my son the same values, as i was taught the same as you were, I remember all too well pulling weeds saturday mornings and scrubbing toilets!!!
Kim
You and your mom are both gorgeous, gracious woman. Beautiful.
Mom
Your mother is gorgeous! Really beautiful woman!
Gracie Lou Freebush
My word. I cannot believe how beautiful you are. 🙂 Your mom is pretty too!
Lori
What an amazing post! You and your mom are so incredibly gorgeous!
Thank you for sharing the link– will be checking it out right after this!
I am a new follower, stop on by..
penelopeblue.blogspot.com
Lori
What an amazing post! You and your mom are so incredibly gorgeous!
Thank you for sharing the link– will be checking it out right after this!
I am a new follower, stop on by..
penelopeblue.blogspot.com
Debber Doo
Totally off topic, but Baby W looks just like you! Both of you are Sooo cute!!!
Renee
My daughter called me one day to thank me for "making" her learn to clean her room, help with dishes, etc. Truthfully, her house is decorated and always tidier than mine.
Ashley O.
Thanks for sharing this! I just went to the site and my son and I planned out his chores/rewards. As a newly single mom, chores have gotten a bit lax and it looks like a great way to get us back on track! (and you and your mom are so lovely! Beautiful photos!)
kelsie rae.
i like the crimpy hair 🙂
Ani
yOU 2 LADIES ARE AMAZING…YOUR MOM IS AS GORGEOUS AS SHE WAS WHEN YOU WERE A LITTLE BABY!!! HONESTLY YOU LADIES ARE VERY ADMIRABLE FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED..
XOXO,
ANI
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