03/23/12

 

Responsibility.

It is the polar opposite of what I shared about yesterday - entitlement.

God's Word talks of this in many passages.  Here is one I found:

Proverbs 10:4-5

Poor is he who works with a negligent hand,
But the hand of the diligent makes rich.

He who gathers in summer is a son who acts wisely,
But he who sleeps in harvest is a son who acts shamefully.

Over the years I have also been exposed to parents who do not think that responsibilities at home are a big deal.  They believe that as long as their child does OK in class, responsibilities at home are not necessary... they would rather do everything for the child because the child doesn't know how to do it very well.

Of course they do not know how to do it well... that is what responsibility teaches - how to do a life skill!  These life skills flow over into the classroom.... more than parents realize!!!

This is where we, as parents, have a responsibility to teach our children about life.  Chores and expectations are something that do this.

Why would it benefit your child to make life so easy that they do not have to do anything to be responsible?  Do parents really think that responsibility automatically kicks in when they hit college or something?

This is why we are seeing a whole generation of lazy kids coming out of college.  My Dad works at a Vet hospital and he said that all new graduates that come to work there from college think they should have the same as someone who has worked longer.  They don't think they should do "the dirty/low work."  He told me it is frustrating because "kids today," as he calls them, do not want to do anything or work for it.

This goes back to entitlement.  This goes back to respect.  

Parents... do we see what we are creating when we want our children to have "easy lives?"  

Responsibility does not harm your child.

It forms character.

It teaches life lessons.

It produces adults who are not afraid to give their best in any situation... whether it is cleaning a toilet or working a major project.

Here are a couple more words of wisdom from God's Word that I have on Wesley and Mikayla's chore charts:

Colossians 3:23

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

Ecclesiastes 9:10a

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.;

I challenge you... if you have children at home and they do not have responsibilities... start them today.  It is never too late to teach responsibility.  They may not like it at first, but, remember.... you are the parent, not their friend.  :)