The Old Folks Home

Being self employed, we had a lot of connections with other self employed business owners. The stories they told us about how hard it was to get younger men to come in and work for them and show up on time, let alone show up at all were simply appalling. Then if they did show up they didn't want to work.
Here a hotel was being built... someone walking by saw a worker smoking pot on the job... called up someone in charge and reported it.

As a result, the entire crew was drug tested, and EVERYONE FAILED. The construction was halted for a few weeks while they looked for workers.
 
Why thank you.... and they are good kids.

I don't think any of them will be famous or get a 200k a year job.... but all 5 of them are always super respectful, truly, even when I am not there.

They never went through a nasty disrespectful period, and yes, they have spent extended unsupervised periods away from home. (As in months)

But then... I started training them early... I homeschooled them all, and good manners and character building and being God focused were most important to me.

And SERIOUSLY, especially when they were little, it blew my mind how anyone could parent without being with their kids 24/7.

Because.... I would spend hours every day when the kids were little, so 4 and 2, or 6, 4 and 2...etc. going over "now say that again, but nicely." And "no, you may not say that, let us practice a good response "


And OVER, and OVER, and OVER.

We would truly spend HOURS every blasted day practicing.

Maybe other kids don't have as much issues with that....but mine did!

I found excellent books (almost impossible to find FYI, most books have zero parents, or stupid parents, or kids being bad) and I read them outloud to the kids and stopped on almost every page so we could discuss the good choices, why they were good choices, etc.

And I was heavy on history. For us history wasn't just history, but also philosophy, psychology, character improvement, character study, critical thinking, critical reading, geography, ecology, economics, and religious study

So yeah... kids are now 11 to 21, close to 12 to 22... but super helpful.

Oh... and chores, I have read that giving kids chores helps tremendously... and my kids have always had chores... even as toddlers. Toddlers would just have to put away their blocks... but chores...

As to ADD... my eldest is CRAZY bad ADHD. But we just managed it... so jumping Jack's while doing times tables... running laps until tired every 40 minutes or so......

Now that he is an adult,he decided he wanted to try some drugs (legal ones, with a doctor...) and they do help, but I am very glad we waited until he was grown. And, they do not turn him into a zombie.... they make it so it is easier for him to learn, keep track of stuff, stay on task,and read. Very interesting actually.
Man, I want to be your kid!! Haha :love

Also, sorry if this too personal or whatever, but do you mind sharing more about the ADD? I was technically diagnosed a while ago but I didn’t really believe I had it but now I do :lau

I really think meds would help but I’m a bit nervous because last time, the meds didn’t really work (at least I didn’t think so) and then the higher dose just made me super anxious and hyped up and focus on anything but the work. :lau

So I just quit cold turkey. :oops:

Never tried anything else or anything. This was years ago now. Like maybe 2012-2013????
 
I should add... it has been nice to see, even when their friends do bad stuff, they don't.

They have been strong in their convictions and just being nice kids.
You waiting for grandkids yet Alaskan?
Ours are more spread out, now 21, 16, 11, 9, 7.
Asked oldest DD third time we had to watch her dog 'puppy sitting'
She asked if he behaved himself, well not really but no biggie, just want to know "When the heck are we going to babysit a little bitty grandbaby instead of a stupid dog ?!!?" ( I really miss having little bitty one's)
She says..."Don't push it, your not old yet!!"
:hmm
 
When she says that, just look at her and say 'tick....tick....tick...that's your biological clock ticking my dear.'

Seriously. A woman's fertility peaks in her early to mid 20s...tick tick tick tick.....
You’re making me even more paranoid about this than I already was :lau
 
Yep, @bruceha2000, that's pretty much it. Unfortunately for you and your wife. I'm sure you crammed everything good and responsible into your kids that you could but it's up to them to decide if and when they are going to use that knowledge.

My mom used to say, that the world owes nobody a living. You have to go out and make it for yourself. Things are turned around these days. Today, you don't have to go out and make a living if you are young because the world owes you....period.

Being self employed, we had a lot of connections with other self employed business owners. The stories they told us about how hard it was to get younger men to come in and work for them and show up on time, let alone show up at all were simply appalling. Then if they did show up they didn't want to work.

I hate to think what the world will be like in 100 years if it keeps going the way it is going.

@CapricornFarm, if you hadn't said that about the t-shirts I was going to.

Congratulations on the great swap meet.
Thanks, I emptied out a whole brooder!
 

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