I would re-read this post. It’s a great one to ponder as I also am thinking of ways to teach my kids these lessons….

When I was a boy, I had a lot of drive to make money. It is possible that my parents would say otherwise, but it seemed to me that I was very motivated to earn (and spend) money. My brother and I collected plastic soldiers, Asterix comic books and models of ships and planes and tanks. When I was 10 or 11, my folks hit on the happy punishment of fines for various transgressions, so I was always trying to earn money to stay in the black. I sold plants, refurbished clothes-drying racks, did odd jobs and worked the popcorn stand at school. When we moved back to the United States, I mowed lawns, raked leaves and shoveled snow in season, and took my first full-time summer job as a yard-boy at 14. I worked 16-24 hour weeks all through high school (full-time in the summers) except for a five-month stint my senior year. Thanks to my parents’ footing my food, housing and clothing bill, I had quite a bit more disposable income as a teenager than I do now.

Has my indulgence as a parent leached ambition from my children? By providing (and over-providing) for the wants of my children, have I created an environment where there is no need for economic drive? It worries me, to think that I may have handicapped my children in such a critical area.

Here’s to us fun babysitters turned moms, and just so you know…I think you’re a really fun mom!

I just bought some tomato plants the other day. I was thinking the whole time that I’d rather be buying them from your kids. Just can’t justify the commute:)