The Fundamental Preparation
Claigh H. Jensen, LCSW September 6, 2009
Labor Day is our celebration of the American worker and the freedoms we enjoy in this great land to create, produce and provide. Over the years of my life I have come to love work. I have also observed that for many people retirement is way overrated! The ability to work is a core skill developed in childhood that shapes a person’s entire life. It is the underlying ability that promotes happiness and a sense of well-being. Developing a strong work ethic is critical for parents and their children.
Thomas Alva Edison, one of the great inventors taught, “Being busy does not always mean real work. The object of all work is production or accomplishment and to either of these ends there must be forethought, system, planning, intelligence, and honest purpose, as well as perspiration. Seeming to do is not doing.”
One of parents’ greatest responsibilities is to teach their children effective work habits and to help them develop a strong work ethic. This ethic includes a willingness to work, the ability to enjoy work, and passion for productive work. With these in mind, let's apply Edison's formula to successful child rearing.
1. Forethought: Take time to effectively plan for the training of your children. Observe other parents whose children know how to work. Visit with them about the how they are teaching their children good work habits. Develop a vision of the type of work ethic you would like your child to possess as an adult. Remember you are helping your child develop a positive attitude toward work.
2. System: According to Dictionary.com one meaning of the word “system” is, “an ordered and comprehensive assemblage of facts, principles, [and] doctrines.” As you are in the process of figuring out the “how and what” to teach, be sure what you are putting together makes sense and that you as parents are willing and able to work together in unity and consistency. Work must be a family value.
3. Planning: Consider what you want to teach your children about work as well as specific experiences you will provide that will help them learn to work effectively. On a farm it seems there are plenty of opportunities to teach and learn principles of work. For those in the city, more thought may be required. Work opportunities begin in the home and then may expand to parks or other community sites. Perhaps a widow's lawn needs care, providing a child with the satisfaction of service as well as joy of a job well done.
4. Intelligence: The German poet, Berthold Brecht, once said, “Intelligence is not to make no mistakes, but quickly to see how to make them good.” Pay attention to how and what you are doing. With end results in mind, seek suggestions from your child on a particular work need, drawing them into the “thinking it through” process. Focus on purpose. Make improvements where needed. Determine to stay on track, again, with the desired end in mind. Use good judgment.
5. Honest Purpose: Through example and positive expectation, teach your children integrity - to do the right thing for the right reason. Be honest. Have a worthy purpose that will improve the quality of life in the home as well as the community. It is important for parents to model good work habits for their children. Happily working with children while cleaning the kitchen, doing yard work or during a service project is a great way for children to learn the joy and satisfaction that comes from effective and productive work.
6. Perspiration: Thomas Edison’s famous quote confirms, “Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.” A parent needs to help a child see a job through to its completion. Much of the gratification that comes through work is lost if there is not a successful end. As F. Enzio Busche stated, “In thoroughness there is satisfaction.” Inspire your children to perspire!
Americans recognize that our strong work ethic is essential to a prosperous and happy people. Parents need to make every effort to pass this ethic along to the next generation and to help their children develop good work skills. Work is the foundation of a happy life. Helen Keller expressed it this way, “Many people have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.” To know the blessing of work is to thrive.
Additional helps
http://www.ahherald.com/atlarge/2005/050505_child_work.htm
http://www.houseoforder.com/teachingchildrentowork.htm
http://www.bible.ca/f-child-teach-work.htm
http://early-childhood-development.suite101.com/article.cfm/chores_and_children
http://www.wahm-articles.com/Article/Teach-Children-Good-Work-Habits/4434
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