Over the weekend some friends and I were reminiscing about the years when we utilized the service of teenage babysitters. We talked about finding a few good ones, paying them well and just how much we appreciated those who played with the kids and left the house how they found it-if not even a little better, with toys put in their places and no dishes left in the sink. One of the star babysitters was a gal, Miss Melissa, who was fabulous. She brought her bag of “Miss Melissa’s Tricks” and each time it was a different set of games or a few books in her little canvas tote bag. The kids looked forward to seeing just what was in Miss Melissa’s Tote Bag each time she arrived. I would go pick her up from the other side of the neighborhood and although I wouldn’t call her a chatty conversationalist with adults at the time (I’m sure she matured into a fine young woman), wow, was she great with kids. When Miss Melissa graduated and went off to college, her younger sister took over and she was just as enchanting as her sister. These sitters were outstanding and the gold standard of babysitters. I attribute their parents diligently parenting their daughters and instilling a good work ethic.
Now, contrast that to the work ethic common of today. Haven’t we all seen more than our share of “Lazy” workers, who want more in wages, yet want to work less hours. How is that to benefit an employer? Of course, I’ll pay you more and expect less. NOT. A friend of mine had two employees approach her with such a proposal. Whether it’s people getting used to staying at home and getting paid for it, parents not having high expectations for their children or schools lowering their standards, as parents, DON’T YOU let up on the pedal of parenting. Set the bar high for you children of what you expect and communicate your age appropriate expectations and see that they follow through, letting them know the consequences should they not. If they don’t hit the bar or meet the expectation, examine for yourself, if the expectation was reasonable and if it was, follow through. Use it as a teaching moment and make the consequences fit the offense. Tell them what they missed and that although you don’t like seeing them experience consequences, explain that out in the real world the consequences can be more painful or expensive. Life is full of choices and consequences. You do your kids no favors by letting them by when they don’t meet expectations. When they do meet the expectation and do what they are supposed to do, let them know that that is how it works, explain how they benefit from following through. Don’t go over board rewarding them for doing what they are supposed to do, but let them know that when they do what they are supposed to do, they will have a feeling of a job well done and a job well done over and over equals many benefits from getting into a good college/getting a good job/getting recognized/getting a raise and on and on.
Point out mediocrity when you see it out in the world and explain why we all suffer from a society of many lazy people and people who don’t do quality work. Let them know that when they just do what they should be doing anyway, they will most likely stand out. It’s sad but true.
When more and more parents come to expect that their children do what they should be doing, expect a good work ethic and good behavior, our communities and society will benefit. One family at a time teaching their kids to be good citizens with a good work ethic will make for many Great Days for us all 🍎
