Today begins our second week of the kids handling evening meal time. From planning to shopping to cleaning to cooking to cleaning again, Week 1 far surpassed what I imagined it could be. I helped with the stove and oven as requested, showed them how to do some basic food prep, and supplied ideas on menus. But, for the most part, they did each meal.
So, as Week 2 commences, our family met last night and decided what everyone would make (our 7-yr. old is excitedly cooking B for D tonight … yes, a little pancake & egg action). I’m hoping I can stay on top of it. Keep their enthusiasm fueled by new recipes, creative ideas, all kinds of things I should have been doing all along. Thank goodness today is a new day … no need to wallow in the what should-have-been-done’s … moving forward is the important thing.
We had a couple of great questions with regard to Chuck Bentley’s (Crown Financial Ministry CEO) guest blog on Wednesday… specifically about what jobs might be accessible to teens. Here is his follow up. Enjoy. … And thanks for walking the road with me.
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First, I believe we should all learn to “work” although that may never translate into a formal job. Paul said that “….whatever we do, do it all for the glory of God.” ( I Cor.10:31). Our work, whether for wages or to accomplish a necessary task, should be a form of worship. Also, some women will never pursue a career or job outside the home, but Proverbs 31 gives dignity to her labor regardless of the context…”let her works bring her praise at the city gate.” So I don’t want to overemphasize a pathway to a career but I think that boys and girls need to be trained to work at tasks that they are solely responsible to complete. Rest is a vital part of the equation that cannot be overlooked, but should never be over emphasized either. The Lord commanded that we rest 1/7th of the time and faithfully labor 6/7ths of the week with some great events/celebrations thrown in throughout the year. Today, I don’t know many children who are suffering from too little leisure time, including those in my home!
Second, I suggest you have a call to share ideas to put together a list of summer employment opportunities. While I have some that I will mention, your blog could be a valuable nexus for this type of brainstorming.
Ann and I have a friend who helps her teenage daughter host an art camp in their home. She marketed it through her church and social networks and would sell out about 3 weeks of classes every summer. Those three weeks provided her with excellent income and a lasting ministry to the kids she taught. Obviously, the girl side is much harder for me to know about but here are my general thoughts for job opportunities: catering, lifeguarding, photography, web design, church camps, Chic-fil-A (excellent program for teens), lawn services, car wash, garage cleaning, pet sitting/walking, pet clean up, newspaper routes, auto repair, retail, moving services, carpentry, carpet cleaning, working for a resort or hospitality trade, event set up, tutoring, and possibly jobs provided in government programs. If you Google this topic you will find far more than I can list.
Final thought – we are all motivated by rewards. Do not position a job or a work related task as punishment or necessary medicine for their good. Hard work should bring joy and satisfaction to their soul. Reinforce their efforts with your personal recognition, praise and gratitude. Just last week, I was bragging on my 9 year old for his reading skills. We were sitting in the living room together and I said, “Luke, I think you are a gifted reader.” Immediately I heard from across the room a question from his 12 year old brother, John, “Dad, what do you think I am gifted at?” This was a reminder of the deep need our children have for us to be good students of their abilities but also to fill their soul with our affirmations of their God –given design. Our praise is ultimately their greatest motivator to do a job well. This takes time and your undivided attention, but it is an investment that pays long term dividends for the child and the parents.
-Chuck
