Teaching the Kids How to Work

When I was growing up I had lazy friends that never had any money, I had friends that worked hard and had money, and I had friends that spent like crazy because their parents had a lot of money.  I believe working hard is good and I'm not a fan of the other two ideas.  Wendy and I decided we want to teach money skills to the kids, so we are helping them learn how to do yard work for money.  This year we thought they could mow lawns.  So we have them mowing lawns at the apartments.  As long as they stay at $20 an hour I rationalized this is good money  for 10 and 11 year-olds, it will teach them to work, and they can learn how to spend money.  So far it has been good.  Especially for Lisa.  She has been going out with friends and the last time they were at U of U she mentioned that her friends like to spend $10 for lunch and that it adds up.  These are good lessons to learn.  But, it has been a big pain in butt because I have been driving the kids to the apartments.  So the pay comes out to $20 an  hour but when you include that my time is involved, it is not such a great deal.  I'm not sure this is all necessary.  I think they work hard doing their sport and therefor perhaps they don't need to mow lawns to learn about money.  I'm trying to figure this parenting thing out.  Most kids are playing games on the computer while Lisa and Eric are working their butt off in the sun playing any kind of ball.  Or, perhaps the apartment thing is a good idea, and it is a good idea for me to give them supervision for safety reasons until next year when the kids can recruit  mowing lawns in the neighborhood. I hardly get on Facebook, but it's amazing how easy it is to get work using Facebook.   Wendy has a good reputation in the neighborhood, and someone posted that they were looking for a babysitter.  Wendy responded that Lisa could do it and now the whole neighborhood texts every week wondering if Lisa can babysit.  I'm sure the same thing goes for lawns.

Lisa- Lisa played in the Bear River Tournament this weekend and she played great.  I always have fun watching her play.  One of the teams we played was really good.  They were hotdogs, and they had one player that was really full of herself.  She hit a shot to center right field and was trying to get an in-the-park home run.  Well, Lisa is a competitor.  The throw came in and there was a huge collision.  Lisa got the girl out, but got banged up with a girl that is two years older.  It makes my heart sink when that stuff happens.  Lisa was shaken up but she was back out the next inning.  Side note- I laugh when parents say they are afraid to put their kids in football. Yes, every football game several kids get banged up. Eric and Lisa have been hurt more times playing competitive baseball and softball than Eric has playing football so far.  If you play sports you are lucky if you have never been banged up.

Lisa at Viewmont High playing orchestra with Canyon Creek Elementary and a couple of other schools.



Lisa at the age she is out growing primary - So every now and again she hangs out with Mom and YW


Eric- Eric is doing all sorts of stuff.  Eric's rec team is fun.






Eric at Book Battles




Reading, math, computer science, and science are Eric's thing.  I wish we could find more things with math and programming.  He blew away all the teams at his school and did good at the Davis County Competition.

David-  David always has something funny to say.

Dad and David at Viewmont






David on first base



I took some days off while the kids were on spring break.  Wendy and I decided to put in a shed in the corner of our back yard.  Lisa and Eric were a big help in putting it together.  Lisa was a huge help.  Even David went with me to pick up gravel for the base of the shed.  It is a nice shed, but the kids have wanted to sleep in it every Saturday we have had it up.  So, it is empty right now and I'm going to let the kids sleep in it as long as they want to.  Then I will fill it up with a ton of stuff.

Wendy


I can't remember what this is.  Lisa and Wendy making breakfast on Easter or making breakfast for Young Women's.  Not sure.   It looks fun though.

Cool picture from Zions- Lisa and Eric


Dad- I found this picture-appears to be Lisa's 9th birthday.