They should have started him on chores sooner, like before he knew to whine. Start kids out by having them help out, then as they get older and more capable, have them do those things by themselves.
‘cause eventually, they get an ephiny(sp) and either square away or become a skid row bum…it helps though, if they learn how to work at an early age…I thank God I was raised on a working ranch and learned what work was as a little kid.
Ha. I tried that line when I was a teenager and got a response that I didn’t expect: “Well, neither did we.” And that’s how I found out I was a surprise.
I explained to my kids that everyone has to pay for things. We have to pay the bank a lot of money so that we could live in our house, and since they don’t have any money, helping out is their way of paying so they could live here also. They seemed to understand, although I get the usual complaints.
We started our children with “chores” when they were two. Things as simple as getting the mail and newspaper. As they grew older they had different ones added. It became a “graduation” of sorts when you were able to move up to “big kid” chores. Once they were all three old enough to do any of the chores we grouped them and rotated them on a weekly basis. Where you sat at the dinner table was determined by which group of chores you had. All three learned the value of work, and all three can do housework and cook!
Ladyfingers 86: it’s easy to turn out well when you’re a cartoon, harder when you’re a real person. Not telling how the kid would turn out in real life, depending on the reaction of the parent and a ton of other factors.
I’ve noticed the difference in generations, in comparing to how I earned my allowance, my step-kids earned their’s and now how my grand-kids earn their’s. It might look like it’s getting easier, but not really. Looks kind of the same, though I think I had it harder to earn more $$.
If I had smarted off to my dad like this when I was that age, I’d have gotten the spanking of my life! My sister and I simply weren’t allowed to talk disrespectfully like this to our parents back then and I certainly don’t allow it in my house now either.
Not that I got spanked much. I think I just learned respect for my elders at an early age. There’s a reason why I was the kid and the adults were the adults.
Personally, I think my parents had it pretty easy. Some of my friends were real handfuls as kids… :)
ejcapulet about 14 years ago
They should have started him on chores sooner, like before he knew to whine. Start kids out by having them help out, then as they get older and more capable, have them do those things by themselves.
tis4kis about 14 years ago
No you didn’t Michael, but do you have any idea of what you’re asking to get now?
alviebird about 14 years ago
That was my thought. He’s about to get something else he didn’t ask for.
Coyoty Premium Member about 14 years ago
Children are like pets. If you keep one, you’re responsible for it.
WebSpider about 14 years ago
Oooooooo….. The rolling eyes will get you in hot water every time. Punishment coming in 3…2…1…
woodwork about 14 years ago
‘cause eventually, they get an ephiny(sp) and either square away or become a skid row bum…it helps though, if they learn how to work at an early age…I thank God I was raised on a working ranch and learned what work was as a little kid.
gobblingup Premium Member about 14 years ago
Ha. I tried that line when I was a teenager and got a response that I didn’t expect: “Well, neither did we.” And that’s how I found out I was a surprise.
I explained to my kids that everyone has to pay for things. We have to pay the bank a lot of money so that we could live in our house, and since they don’t have any money, helping out is their way of paying so they could live here also. They seemed to understand, although I get the usual complaints.
alan.gurka about 14 years ago
When I was young and used that line on my mom, she replied, “Nobody did.” I never used it again.
Allison Nunn Premium Member about 14 years ago
We started our children with “chores” when they were two. Things as simple as getting the mail and newspaper. As they grew older they had different ones added. It became a “graduation” of sorts when you were able to move up to “big kid” chores. Once they were all three old enough to do any of the chores we grouped them and rotated them on a weekly basis. Where you sat at the dinner table was determined by which group of chores you had. All three learned the value of work, and all three can do housework and cook!
celeconecca about 14 years ago
I tried that line - once!
Tuner38 about 14 years ago
NObody asks to be born. And if you were asked you wouldn’t be able to decide anyway.
Aryalover about 14 years ago
The answer I got was “Would you rather wish you never were?”
AZLILSIS about 14 years ago
Ladyfingers 86: it’s easy to turn out well when you’re a cartoon, harder when you’re a real person. Not telling how the kid would turn out in real life, depending on the reaction of the parent and a ton of other factors.
Frankr about 14 years ago
By the time I was Mike’s age I had been doing chores for my ($1) allowance so long I’d have never thought to question it. If you want money, you work.
Comic-Nut about 14 years ago
I’ve noticed the difference in generations, in comparing to how I earned my allowance, my step-kids earned their’s and now how my grand-kids earn their’s. It might look like it’s getting easier, but not really. Looks kind of the same, though I think I had it harder to earn more $$.
coffeeturtle about 14 years ago
“I brought you into this world, so I’m going to take you out!” LOL! always wanted to say that…
Be thankful Mike that you have a pretty cushy life. A little gratefulness could go a long way.
hehe
WebSpider about 14 years ago
I often wonder if somewhere, in a comic strip filing cabinet is an unpublished panel(s) of Michael Patterson getting the a$$ beating of his life…
One can dream…
Even Dennis the Menace got his…
http://myorganicbabyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/spanking.jpg
And here’s a couple AFTER Michael got his..
http://catalog.fborfw.com/strips/81/FB051481.GIF
http://catalog.fborfw.com/strips/83/FB071783.GIF
http://catalog.fborfw.com/strips/82/FB082482.GIF
tuslog64 about 14 years ago
OH, are you going to support YOUR kids for life?
Gretchen's Mom about 14 years ago
If I had smarted off to my dad like this when I was that age, I’d have gotten the spanking of my life! My sister and I simply weren’t allowed to talk disrespectfully like this to our parents back then and I certainly don’t allow it in my house now either.
WebSpider about 14 years ago
applause
Not that I got spanked much. I think I just learned respect for my elders at an early age. There’s a reason why I was the kid and the adults were the adults.
Personally, I think my parents had it pretty easy. Some of my friends were real handfuls as kids… :)
puddleglum1066 about 14 years ago
Right now, Michael is a good argument in favor of post partum contraception…