Make work part of every child’s day, play
When both parents work, schedules can be pretty complicated.
Many parents have found that working out a schedule can illustrate that time, work and money can be utilized to the fullest extent.
• Air for balance. Use a wall chart, with a block marked for each person. Assigned duties and responsibilities can be penciled in on a daily basis, and each member can add leisure activities of their choice. Input from all members gives everyone an overview of the necessary duties as well as the freedom to use some time in their own way.
• Have work time for all. Family therapists have found that adults who are happiest in their life work had jobs to perform at early ages. Being exposed to different duties, they learned to set goals, pace themselves at work and at leisure and save money. Having shared responsibilities at various ages, they had happier marriages and families.
• Schedule shared times. Since the family is a unit, each person must pull his or her own load. Although many children accept that their parents work full time, they need to feel that their daily schedule is equally important in the overall family plan. A small child can learn to pick up his toys. An older child can learn to do the laundry. At each stage of development, the parent can show appreciation when the child completes a task.
Since time and money are both commodities, here are some other thoughts on how to spend them.
• On the chart, mark money earned in green (crediting children with assigned duties) and money spent in red. At the end of the week, discuss a balanced budget.
• Talk about ways to spend time, emphasizing interdependence. If we mow the yard now, we can go to the ball game later.
• Is time or money the deciding factor? If the thought of hiring someone arises, the family may discuss how the saved money could be used for the benefit of the family if they pitched in and did it themselves? Or they may decide it’s better for the family to have extra time, thus justifying the expense of hiring the job done.
• As children get older they want to be paid for their work and rightfully so. When this begins, the child should be taught to save a portion for future goals.
• When children are old enough to work outside the home, it is an excellent time to learn how to please employers, increase knowledge and skills and explore other vocations. Every new experience gives them competence in decision-making and problem-solving. Performance often indicates aptitudes. They quickly discern that what comes easiest for them is one of their strengths. Parents should discuss their own work, the rewards and benefits connected with it.
• Work should be a part of every child’s play and every child’s day. A happy and organized family emphasizes the dignity of balancing work and play, time and money.
Copyright c 1995 Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D.
