The Tilma Family Blog

Hard Work?

// August 4th, 2009 // All Blog Posts, Uncategorized

 There is so much to learn in life. As parents, we want the very best for our children  and therefore, try to teach them important values and principles early on in life to  best prepare them for adulthood. But these lessons are sometimes difficult to  teach….and to learn. The other day, Hudson and I were outside while Sophie and  JD were napping. Daddy had given Hudson instructions to pick up the piles of  rocks in the driveway she had worked so hard on gathering there, which Hudson  was not at all thrilled about doing. As I was doing other yard work, I noticed that  instead of picking up the rocks, Hudson was doing anything and everything else  she could think of to entertain herself. We talked several times about the  importance of cleaning up after ourselves, the consequences of not doing so and the  value in being a hard worker. But, Hudson was still not convinced she should pick  up the rocks and instead, pestered me as to what exactly Daddy would be taking  away from her if she had not completed her chore. As it became apparent that she  would much rather have her favorite toy or movie taken away from her then pick up  these rocks, I sat down with Hudson and really tried to teach her about being a  hard worker and where that would lead her in life. As I spoke, I could see she was getting a little upset and finally, she said, “But I don’t want to be a hard worker, I just want to be a Mommy!” To which I quickly responded, “I’ve got news for you, honey, being a mommy is very hard work!” With a look of complete devastation and a little bewilderment, the tears began to flow down her little rosy cheeks as she whimpered, “Oh no” and flopped her head down on her lap and continued to cry. I had just crushed the image of her perfect future life, and yet, I couldn’t help but giggle at her severe response. One popcicle and a few hugs later, the rocks were picked up completely and life was good again.