Parenting Discovery

I've discovered something I hope all parents will be able to realize.

I've accomplished something I pray all parents can achieve.

It is recognizing the value of a dollar to the under ten year old set.

This group of kids are healthy, able-bodied, and depending on how they've been raised, absolutely capable of WORKING.

By working I mean yard work, household cleaning, car washes, car cleaning, dog grooming, the imagination is the limit.

I never imagined I could have my entire yard cleaned by X and Lex fo two Webkinz, but I did.

Seeing as I no longer have the physical capacity to even do minor yardwork, this task would have taken me weeks.

I would have swept a corner of the patio and took a nap.

The two kids had our 3 acre yard with patio cleaned in a few hours. This included packing up leaves and dumping them off.

Impressive, and little do they know, two webkinz is a steal.

Since the elementary school child is in the "good child" stage and desperately needs to please, the work is generally done well, especially under some management and supervision.

Even better, the kids know the parent is their only hope or means of any income. If they want any sort of financial independence, if they want the jobs to keep coming, they need to make momma happy.

And they do.

Today, the living room, X's bedroom, and my car are getting cleaned. . . . . . for $3 a piece to Carter and Xander with the promise of a tip if they do extra well.

The tip comes from my guilt since cleaning includes not only picking up, but vacuuming, dusting and windows.

The boys love spraying and wiping.

That purchase of the play vacuum at two really has paid off along with the teaching early on that money comes if you earn it.

I'm not quite sure how we got this message across so clearly, especially since my monthly check magically appears in the mail from social security, but they certainly don't need to know that.

X started with his entrepenuerial endeavors about a year and a half ago after seeing "Hotel For Dogs."

He's watched my father and I work together in the family building business Five Eagles, LLC (www.5eaglesdesign.com) since he was born. He's seen lots of contracts written and negotiated. He's seen sales pitches andsat in on meetings regarding marketing campaigns.

Apparently he took note, after seeing the movie he came home and offered to babysit Lily during my mom's conferences. He outlined what he would include along with his fee.

Since then, my little man has made some savvy requests, such as to be paid in EUROS instead of the dollar last year (didn't happen, but I appreciated the sentiment).

It is a great deal for me since before Lexi's request for a few extra dollars, my windows hadn't been cleaned in years.

It's cost versus worth.

As an added benefit (or a good excuse to use to other parent friends who may think you are exploiting your kids), it shows the virtue of good work ethic and opens up discussions regarding financial habits.

We've all ready started savings accounts for X and Lex. Now Carter (our nephew) wants in on some work. We're going to start him with a piggy bank, but a savings account comes next.

Parents, harness the power and gain some coveted you time.

I'm loving it.