According to Dr. James Dobson, “Teaching a child to work is one of the primary mechanisms by which … self-discipline is acquired.” Of course, most children can sit and stare at a task for hours.
It’s certainly much easier to do the chore yourself. But resist the urge! Why? Dr. Dobson explains: “Those who know how to work are usually better able to control their impulses, to stay on task until an assignment is completed, to overcome flightiness and immaturity, to recognize the connection between effort and opportunity, and to learn to manage money. It also serves as a preparation for life in the adult world to come.”
Ways to teach your child how to work:
1. Select age-appropriate tasks for your child.
2. Combine your child’s willingness with a sense of mission!
3. Compensate
your child for completing specific tasks.
4. Teach by example and turn work into a game.
5. Show your teenage how to be an entrepreneur.
6. Take your son or daughter to work with you for a day.
7. Teach the value
of money.
- God owns it all.
- There is always a trade-off between time and effort and money and reward.
- There is no such thing as an independent financial decision. Saying yes to one thing means saying no to other things.
- Delayed gratification is the key to financial maturity.
- “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have” (Hebrews 13:5).
8. Create and live on a budget. Invite your older children to help you maintain the budget.
9. Ask your teenager to help you work on your taxes.
