The other day I was driving and saw a bunch of kids and moms holding signs at a street corner. I figured they were advertising for a nearby carwash, but as I got closer I realized that the kids were asking for money for their baseball team. Just. Asking.
Am I just a grouch? It totally bugged me. I know that sometimes everyone gets tired of selling wrapping paper and other fundraising junk. The car wash market is probably saturated too. But I think that just asking for money, on a corner no less, sends the wrong message. So anyway, I didn't contribute.
Some of the kids at church earned money for a big trip by delivering and laying down mulch. Sweaty, messy work. But I bet they felt good after doing it. I've seen the same thing with my own kids. I ask them to do chores around the house or in the yard. They usually complain for a bit but when it's all done they feel great. In fact I actually put them to work whenever they're all being squirrelly and crabby and it's amazing how much happier everyone is after working a bit- mom included.
I actually think that we're designed that way and there's something a little divine in that whole "sweat of their brow" concept. So back to the baseball kids, it's not just that they're learning how to beg, but that they're being robbed of the good feelings associated with an honest effort. In a culture where so many people feel they just "deserve" the things they want... I think we need to teach the happy principle of hard work. I can just hear my mother's voice whenever we would complain about helping around the house: "I am not raising a bunch of aristocrats! We work!" (Thanks mom. :)
Am I just one of those "no pain no gain" people?
PS: The above pic is of my kids detailing the minivan after a road trip. They did such a good job with minimal threatening from mom and only a handfull of fights. :)
