OUTSTANDING IN HER FIELD Let Them Work by Sarah Harrison, Co-Owner of Mazak Farms It’s ok to let your children work -- it really is! Now, I’m not talking about ‘child labour’, I’m referring to age-appropriate, skill-building chores. Working provides a purpose, meaning and belonging for all of us, our children included. Teaching
our children that we each have a role to fulfill in keeping the farm or our households running is vital. Working teaches an understanding that the jobs that no one likes, the jobs that may be unpleasant, are jobs that still need to be done and done well. Sometimes as adults, we need to be reminded of that! It is ok to get your kids on the business end of a broom, a pitchfork, or a toilet brush! We have had young adults work for us over the years who didn’t know how to sweep the floor, but worse than that were those who felt they shouldn’t have to sweep the floor. Nope. We all need to sweep; we all need to pitch in, including the youngest of us. Is it a fight to get your kids to work? Of course, it is -- they’re kids! However, it is a fight worth having. When we work for something, whether it’s a paycheque, an object, or an experience, we tend to appreciate it more, respect it more and, more often than not, become motivated to keep working so we can have more. All that makes us feel good, feel accomplished and feel important. It also encourages our children to be independent which, as hard as it can be to accept, I suppose is the ultimate goal of raising children. Working also introduces our children to their own abilities. How will our kids know what they are capable of if we don’t encourage and expect them to use and develop their skills? All our farm kids have jobs. The older ones work and volunteer both on and off the farm, and the youngest have jobs on the farm. Do they always do their jobs willingly and well? Absolutely not. Is it way more work for my husband and I to facilitate them working than just doing the jobs ourselves? One hundred percent! However, they are proud of their jobs. They have earned treats and prized objects and have some money in the bank. More importantly, they are developing a work ethic that we hope will continue to grow and payoff, and if that happens, then I guess our work is done. Keep being outstanding in your field.
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Real Living • Summer 2023 • Page 13
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