I'm not going to go through the usual disclaimer about these "Stuff I Know" posts. It still stands and if you're new to my blog and curious about it, you can click on any one of my previous Stuff I Know posts from the category list over there <---------- on the left side of the blog page. Stuff I Know #10 is Work is Not a Four Letter Word. Well it is, but you know what I mean.
My husband grew up on a farm. Interestingly, his dad was a banker not a farmer, but he grew up on that same farm, working the acreage. It was a generational thing. My husband is also not a farmer, but when we were done with extended, extended schooling we knew that despite this, we wanted to give our children the opportunity to learn to work hard in multiple ways. My husband and I are both eldest children. Our parents had very high expectations of us, and maybe you can pity my children because we passed on those same expectations to them.
So we eventually bought a house that had some ground around it so our children could work around the place. We attempted to teach this principle on several levels...physically, because digging post holes and pulling thistles is hard work, and academically and musically where one learns that results is almost directly related to effort. We did it this way because that's the way we knew from our own growing up experiences.
As I said, my husband and I worked our way through extended, extended, literally years of extended schooling. Things are easier now that we're done, but I'm always amazed at what people...not only random acquaintances, but friends and even family members feel free to say about that process...that we have an easy life now and that our kids have turned out well because we don't have monetary challenges.
The reason we don't have monetary challenges is because we've worked our butts off to get to this place, and our children have turned out the way they have because they've apparently learned that lesson. Hard work pays off and if you have a good work ethic you can do or become almost anything you want to be. I fear this lesson is going the way of the dinosaur in this age of entitlements. You can expect all you want to be handed things in life, but you might be disappointed.
Perhaps this post is a bit more of a rant than others have been. I'm sorry. On second thought, I'm not sorry. I'm honest.
I love the quote, "There is no elevator to success. You have to take the stairs." Aim high and then do what it takes to work your way there. The process of accomplishing that will teach you more than someone handing it to you.
I always enjoy your "what I know posts." I have also worked hard for everything I have as my parents taught me and I continue to work hard because it's the right thing to do.
thanks!
Donna
Posted by: dmc4042 | June 10, 2015 at 05:56 AM
Love this one...and agree. One of the things I love most about where we live is the chance for my kids to work hard....even Annie Belle is up at 6:45 to get ready to go weed every morning! And I love that my kids got to work beside lots of yours....because your kids were always such wonderful examples!!!
Posted by: Heidi | June 10, 2015 at 06:09 AM
Oh how I'd love to just sit and chat and glean all your wisdom. This is a good one. Thanks.
Posted by: Andrea | June 10, 2015 at 06:33 AM
Boy do I ever hear you! My husband and I both have extended, extended degrees and we worked very, very, very hard for them. When someone says "you're so lucky" I have to bite my tongue. Luck had nothing to do with it. My quote..."You get out what you put in."
Posted by: JulieP | June 10, 2015 at 08:00 AM
I totally agree with your "rant" portion of the post. I wish more kids had to work a little harder. I am definitely trying my hardest not to let a good work ethic go extinct.
Posted by: Jen M | June 11, 2015 at 04:55 PM
Amen!!
Posted by: Lil Sis | June 13, 2015 at 07:12 AM