Body: | Teaching Children To Work without Complaining!!!
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A mother who is a Christian in describing how her children are encouraged
to work said: "Today the five and seven year olds at our house picked peas.
The ten year old gathered green beans, while the fourteen year old pushed
the cultivator up and down the rows of our beautiful garden. We picked two
golden squash, our first cucumber, and two dozen beets, then all had a part
in the preparation, and in the enjoyment of the first meal from our garden.
This is an ideal arrangement in which our family can work together." This
mother had the right idea. In our crowded cities and with our economy of
specialization, the family as a unit at work is seldom possible. Because of
this, we as parents must manufacture tasks. We must find ways of giving our
children the joy of accomplishment, of seeing the fruits of their own
labors, and of gaining confidence in themselves.
The Jewish nation insisted that each child be taught a trade as well as a
profession, to use his hands as well as his mind. Jesus said, "My Father
worketh hitherto, and I work" John 5:17. In following his perfect example
we will all be at work. Paul told the Thessalonians, "if any would not
work, neither should he eat" II Thessalonians 3:10. If we as parents apply
this precept in the training of our children, we will see that they learn
to work. The child who does not learn to work will never make a success in
life.
We all recognize the desirability of training our children in the work
habit, but the question is, "How can I?" First by example. The parent's
attitude toward work will in a large part be the attitude of the child. Do
I find every excuse for shirking my responsibility, whether it is working
at home, or even a day's work at the church building? Let us first strive
to do what our hands find to do with a song in our hearts, and the children
will follow the example set for them.
But it is not always possible to find happiness in our work, as children or
as adults. Some things just have to be done. The habit of seeing a job
through to its completion is extremely valuable to a child. This is a real
challenge to parents. Can I be patient and firm in seeing that he finishes
a job, when it is so much easier to do it myself, and it takes half the
time? We must, of course, plan tasks suitable to the child's level of
maturity. Praise should be given only for a job completed and done well.
You have heard it said, "Don't do for a child what he can do for himself."
Such simple tasks as picking up toys and dusting low furniture can be done
by the very small child. As the child becomes older we might change this
saying into, "Don't do for yourself what your child can do for you." The
old lady who allows the boy scout to help her across the street is giving
the boy much more than he gives her, for she gives him the feeling of being
big and strong and of use in the world. The feeling of being needed, of
being a necessary part of the activities of the home, and later of the
community and of the church, will make for good citizenship. It will
prepare your child for great service in the Kingdom.
Let us pray for guidance and strength, that our children may become worthy
laborers in God's vineyard.
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