Get to work
“Family work is thus
humbling work, helping us to acknowledge our unavoidable interdependence;
encouraging (even requiring) us to sacrifice “self” for the good of the whole.”
https://magazine.byu.edu/article/family-work/
How
much did you hate chores as a kid? We had a small garden that needed frequent
weeding and picking throughout the summer. Once we moved to a new house that
needed a lot of yardwork so that summer was full of weeding a steep hill and
putting down bark. My parents have a boat which means we get to have lots of
fun, but it also requires lots of work to keep it in good condition. We strongly
believe that everyone pitches in. With dinner we each tackle a dish and help
set up and wash dishes after.
Chores
and work can be annoying, but this brings families together. It gives families
time together, they learn to bless each other and others, and new talents can
be discovered.
For
example, in the endless weeding previously mentioned, I discovered a unique talent.
I can talk backwards, like racecar is the same forward and back! Not very
useful, but it is pretty cool.
It
is important not to treat this work as a punishment, this will leave long
lasting effects on kids to dislike work as they grow older. Work can be
enjoyed!
Along
with work, often comes finances. “How important are money management and
finances in marriage and family affairs? Tremendously.”
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2007/09/one-for-the-money?lang=eng
How
can you start teaching kids about money? Some family use allowances and others
help kids save up for things they want. What are some other strategies?
Budgeting
is a huge help and necessity. But, for some reason we tend to avoid it? When we
budget, we have more money. We can plan ahead and a lot funds. Some couples
want to avoid arguments that may come forth from budgeting. Another common
issue is that maybe if we avoid looking at our money, we can pretend that
things aren’t so tight.
There
is a very traditional belief that the father is the primary financial provider
in the family. This brings up two controversial topics. 1. Can women work? 2.
Why is the father expected to work?
Of
course, women can work! We make wonderful mothers, but we also make pretty
great CEOs or whatever you want to be. We should follow our dreams whether they
include being a stay-at-home mom or a small business owner, some people have
both!
Many
fathers work as well, I plan to work part time and focus on our family, while
my husband will be the main financial provider for our family.
There
is an intriguing story about a father I heard on a podcast the other day. There
was a father who was a truck driver so he was only home one day a month. He
made up for lost time by giving each daughter a few weeks over the summer to
ride along with him. Each day a month that he was home he spent with his family.
At first this story seemed so amazing! The father did his best to provide
money, enjoy his career, and give his family all the extra time he had. The
discussion changed to the mother’s attitude. Did she feel like she was doing
all the work but the dad was the favorite because he spoiled the kids when he
came home? We don’t know the full story.
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