No Fair!

When you have several kids, fair is a big deal. They are very aware of what the others are getting, and they want equal share! When your kids are very different in age, the young ones are in No Fair mode alot. Well Ben is the baby, and he is feeling very slighted this weekend. Nick has steady grass-cutting income now, which allows him to have access to quite a bit of pocket change. Yesterday, he bought a new PS2 game. So, Ben started demanding a trip to Toy Works. "If Nick got something, then I should get something," was his plea. We explained that Nick has a job . . . responsibility . . . some benefits etc etc. Ben didn't get it. Totally upset. For a couple of days now. So, we've put Ben on the payroll. It wouldn't teach him much to just give him stuff, huh? He was charged with cleaning a very messy garage. Complete that, and Ben would earn some cash. He was actually pretty excited about this. Got him working, like his brother. He spent a good deal of time in the hot garage. He reported back in the house looking pretty pleased with himself. He was sweating, ("awwweee, look at how hot he is," mom says). He showed us the spider webs and dirt on his hands and told us how he had to get low under some stuff. We'll pay up after an inspection. Next, I guess we'll be teaching him how to manage the money he'll be earning . . . Tithing and saving teaching is an opportunity now.

Guess we're all like Ben in some ways. We want some stuff. We (or some of us) eventually figure out to get it we need to do some work. So, Ben is entering that lifelong cycle . . . want stuff . . . work . . . get stuff. Next challenge: a healthy approach to this simple cycle that gets so many in trouble. This parenting is some pretty serious stuff. Lauren's looking at clothes on the computer now. We'll tie that to clean bathrooms and vacuuming!!!