kids in the workforce

Our country can never hope to reach FULL EMPLOYMENT unless parents make sure that everybody in the family WORKS. That “everybody” includes the children!

Sons and daughters as young as two years of age need to be given RESPONSIBILITIES: picking up their own toys, putting napkins on the table or setting it completely if they are able, matching socks into pairs, helping fold laundry, etc. Being encouraged and expected to give a helping hand around the house is a wonderful way to build their self esteem. The youngster given some “home chores” feels needed as a member of the family. . . As his capability to do the jobs increases, so does his pride and confidence in himself.

Beginning with two and three year olds, all sons and daughters should be taught that THEY HAVE A JOB TO DO. Just as the adults in the family are put into the LABOR FORCE, both inside and outside the home, children , too, need to have assigned tasks, and do them.

From our own son’s and daughters’ elementary school years through high school, they

were given responsibilities. We tried to make their home chores equal to their ability to accomplish them. We were careful about finding a fair balance between the time they had for doing homework, meeting with friends, playing sports, etc. and their home tasks.

The responsibility we emphasized most, (our children might use the words NAGGGED ABOUT) was the job they were expected to do in school. We reminded them of these “facts of life” ...facts that all students need to be taught and taught early.

“ Just as the adults in our family have jobs to do and are held responsible for doing them, the most important work you have to do is your school work. It requires that you :

GO TO SCHOOL ON TIME EACH DAY

PAY AS CLOSE ATTENTION AS YOU CAN TO WHAT IS BEING TAUGHT SO YOU CAN GET THE MOST OUT OF IT

ASK QUESTIONS WHENEVER YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND SOMETHING

DO YOUR SCHOOL HOMEWORK NEATLY AND COMPLETELY

We didn’t even have to NAG them much about not imitating the unacceptable behavior of a classmate or getting into trouble with the teacher...We felt confidant that by doing their job, they were being protected against misusing or abusing their education.