Don’t Rescue Your Kids

We recently moved to a beautiful new rental nestled on 4 acres in Washington.
The place is stunning, the yard a haven.

The boys have an absolute ball playing in the wonderland, but don’t necessarily enjoy the yardwork needed to keep it looking wonderful.

Today, our 11 year old was cutting his section of the grass. Since we are in fact in Washington, I was trying to make sure the main yard got cut before this afternoon’s rain. I did not succeed.

With 40 x 6 feet left to mow, the skies opened up and it began to pour. I mean pour!

I shouted to my son to stop mowing so he could get out of the rain.  
         He didn’t hear me.
                   I stood there under the over hang of the roof watching him mow.

He was smiling. Smiling in the pouring rain.

Why was my instinct to “save” him from the downpour? It must be a mom thing.

Not only did he finish cutting the grass with a huge grin, he also stumbled upon a beautiful little frog that he caught and relocated to our pond. The boy was in heaven.

Some of the best experiences in life are on the other side of trials, downpours and boredom.

We need to let our kids push through.
I’m talking to myself right now as I reflect on this, but I know I am not alone.

Kids today don’t have the same gumption as kids of the past. They need to work harder and be less entertained and coddled… Don’t you think? Maybe it’s because We have 5 boys and are very aware of our responsibility to raise future men that I feel this way.

• Yes, it’s ok to make your kids do chores. It’s even ok to make them redo them if they did a lousy job for their age, or if they have a lousy attitude. Make them go get the trash bag out of the can and place it back in the kitchen and take it out again. 5, 10, 100 times if necessary.

• Yes, it’s ok to let them cut the grass in the rain, or the sun, or under a rainbow. Supervised of course. (FYI- I almost always work right alongside the kids. If they are mowing, I’m weeding…)

• Yes, it’s ok to have them vacuum, wash dishes, or fold laundry. Trust me, it will not kill them.

• Yes, it’s ok for them not to win a game or trophy. If they did not win, then they lost. Teach them to win with humility and lose with grace.