Becky Castle Miller initiated a good conversation at her blog the other day.
I asked my three kids (a set older than Becky’s– her oldest is six-months behind my youngest) and they gave the same answers her kids gave: work is for money/food/good things (Daddy) or to make our lives better/healthier/more-comfortable (Mama).
{I was delighted that they’ve internalized that I work here at home was both work and a benefit to them.}
Actually, that was the string of answers after Melody spouted the first answer to my question: Why do Mama and Daddy work so hard?
Because we don’t!
I hooted, laughed and banged the wall with my hand. I think that’s my griping lately coming back out her mouth. And it’s true.
But after several minutes and variations on the trios of meaning above, I said there was one more very. important. reason their parents work:
We both choose work that we love.
I told them, because this is something I want planted deep and firm in their soft hearts, that what they enjoy doing can be a real path to God’s will for them. I asked them what they love, what makes them excited and energetic and ready to jump into a project.
My throat tightened at the explosion of delight in their bubbling descriptions.
“Keep watching those things,” I said. “Ask questions when you meet someone with that job. Try out play that matches what you enjoy.”
The moment passed and everyone returned to eating (or ignoring) their lunch, but the conversation has begun here.
Delight is an acceptable measure of direction.
What a great discussion! I wish my husband’s parents had been the same way, it’d have spared him a lot of heartache in his career search. I need to have a similar chat with my munchkins–once they’re old enough.
I’d love to hear how it goes!