My family raised me up with a hammer in one hand and
a spade in the other.
Well, not really. But I have always been expected to
work. When our family was working on a project I was always involved. I can
remember cleaning our new house when I was eleven. I scrubbed the kitchen
cabinets and floors with some sort of cleaner that smelled like fake oranges. I can still remember the smell. It stayed in our house for probably two weeks. There was a lot of vacuuming, dusting, and retrieving chocolate molds from
behind the stove. But it was fun. I got to have some great discussions with my
mom because of it.
I think work is very beneficial to all members of
the family. The mom and dad get extra help and extra time to spend with their
children. They have an opportunity to teach their children the benefits and
effects of work. And the children get the chance to see what they can
accomplish. Work is definitely rewarding.
Children learn by watching. They’re like little
sponges that suck up every bit of information they see. If parents do not work
or do not work with children, the kids will never know to work.
This all ties in to scriptures. We’re meant to be
hard-working people. Slothfulness is not looked on positively. There is time
for rest and relaxing, but there will always be work so there is great benefit
in teaching children to find joy in work.
I think this whole process also teaches children how
to work. When I was single, I shocked me that some girls had no idea how to
clean a bathroom. I've heard some say that they never once cleaned a kitchen in
their entire lives. Their moms always did it for them. Goodness, I can’t live
if my kitchen is sloppy. Those who have been working with their families will
know how to be independent and that will help so much when they grow up and go
on missions or get married. Then they can continue the cycle with their own
kids.
I love cleanliness. I’m not the most organized
person in the world, but I get such great satisfaction from cleaning up and
seeing the sparkling counter tops and glistening dishes. I’m so glad my family
always including me in projects. I have life skills that I can use and teach
forever. In fact, those skills have saved my butt many times. When my car has
acted I knew what to do because I worked with my dad on the car. I know how to
plant a garden, how to organize a how, to fix simple appliances and build
grills and tables. Most of all, I’m so glad I know how to clean as I am packing
up our apartment at this very minute.
Work should be for everyone, not just men or women
or adults. Even young children can learn from working with their family.
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