Developing Work Ethic In Children

I didn’t intend to write about this today, but sometimes you just have to go with what comes your way. I intended to upload a bunch of pictures of how our house has looked over the years.

Instead, I kept stumbling across pictures of the kids learning to work. I couldn’t help but touch on them to upload. I am so very proud of my children and how they work!

Yesterday, I had one of those days where I doubted I was even a good mom. My house is always a wreck and I rarely cook. Our children were fighting and I had to cancel my doctors appt because my baby wouldn’t stop crying–teething and allergies all at once. I just sat there depressed, wondering why in the world God would want me to be a stay-at-home, home-schooling mom. I mean, wouldn’t they just learn so much more at school?!

Over the years, I have hit these HUGE bumps in the road with home-schooling. First bump, I was pregnant with Abram and sicker than a dog for months. No problem, Abby wasn’t even supposed to be in school yet. Then, several years back, we had to escape Hurricane Ike. It went right over our house in La Porte, TX and messed up all of the down-stairs floors and most of the bottom half of the walls. Plus, it stole from our children (the neighbors and ours were combined) their entire swingset/play-yard equipment. It took an entire year to fix that house and I literally had no couches and a concrete floor that full year. I sat on the dining room chair. We didn’t get a whole lot of school done that year. Then, two years ago we moved–small bump. But, a few months later I broke my ankle all the way through–huge bump. And, back around to pregnant again. Our littlest addition is almost 5 months old.

Whew! Through all of this I wonder all the time if they’re learning enough. Sometimes, it’s full blown school–6 to 8 hours a day. Other times, school looks more like reading practice, some math flashcards, and pick out a science or history documentary on Netflix.

But, yesterday, I think God knew I needed a reminder of what things the kids learned these last few years that didn’t come from books or worksheets. The kind of training that comes from experience can be just as important! I know, because my husband, who didn’t get the chance to graduate college is in high demand at the company he works at. Why? Because that man that I love so much, was taught by his parents to have a high work ethic. When no one wants to bother learning something new, who do they call on to figure it out? Josh. When they have a random question, who would know the answer? Josh. When he’s supposed to be on Christmas vacation, who can they count on to boot up his computer and stay up all hours of the night until it’s finished? That’s right–my husband, Josh.

These pictures that follow don’t have any explanation. They are just pictures that encouraged me today. They are pictures that were God’s direct answer to my cry, “God, why did you have me do this? Couldn’t someone else teach my children so much better than me?”

Shredding paper clutter–with dad’s help.

Can you find something blue?

All our dishes were kept within their reach.

Pretend bunk beds

Peeling boiled eggs.