Two years ago, I wrote my first novel “Christmas Two years ago, I wrote my first novel “Christmas On Clermont Lane”, the first of three books focused on the legacy of the Robinson family. Whenever I’m notified of a new order placed for the book, it still astounds me that people have read my words all over the world. What an honor. If you are looking for a holiday read or a stocking stuffer, order my book on Amazon. Link in bio. 🎅🏾
I got the opportunity to stay in a tiny house this I got the opportunity to stay in a tiny house this weekend, and I must admit, living a more minimalist lifestyle focused on intention and not things has me intrigued. I could so do this. #tinyhouse #tinyhome #stl
Thankful. That’s the caption. Thankful. That’s the caption.
It’s Thanksgiving Break and my daughter & I are It’s Thanksgiving Break and my daughter & I are experiencing The Polar Express for the first time. All aboard! 🎅🏾 🚊
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Out here living my best plaid and pumpkin life. 🍁
It’s always going to be the joy, peace, and grat It’s always going to be the joy, peace, and gratitude for me. ❤️
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Cubicle Life, Parent's Just Don't Understand, Relationships, The 16 yr old, The 6 yr old, The Water Cooler, Twittering in the Cubicle · June 23, 2010

Instilling Good Work Ethic In Your Children


When I was younger, about age 9 or 10, my father took me to work with him on Saturdays when he worked extra hours on a project. He was a computer systems analyst consultant (fancy word for data programmer) and worked in an office in downtown Phoenix with rows of complex machines and computers. I would sit down with him at the desk next to him and would marvel as he worked. Occasionally, he would have me help him by handing him materials or retrieving things from the fax machine or copier. I really thought I was doing something back then, and at the end of the work shift, he always treated me to a good meal and gave me $5 for my hard work.

I grew up knowing how hard my father worked to provide for my family. Taking those work visits made me see firsthand that my father’s job wasn’t at all glamourous. As an only child, I was spoiled, but I also knew that hard work and determination took you places. My father’s talent took us from the mean streets of St. Louis’s north city neighborhood to a decent life in the suburb of Glendale in Phoenix, AZ. I learned early that if you wanted to make something happen, you had to have a mix of good work ethic, luck and chance, prayer, and talent.

As a parent of a six year old and sixteen year old, I have tried my best to pass this along to my children. As a single mother, my son saw me struggle to make ends meet. He understood at an early age that a day missed of work for me was a day of missed wages. My daughter’s life has been relatively easy, but we have had our own share of struggles during the last few months as my hours were cut at my employment. I oftentimes hear others speak of the lack of work ethic that our generation has, but there is a reason for that— good work ethic is learned behavior. Yes, some folk are just born with the “grind factor” embedded in them, while others had to cultivate this by seeing it firsthand. How can we blame the generation for poor work ethic when we are the ones raising them and teaching the behavior?

Instilling good work ethic in your children has to happen as they are children. Once they are well into their teens, it may be too late to start to try teaching them these values. Taking your children to work with you, or speaking about your work day, or even showing your children through your actions that you work hard may set them up also to work towards their goals and not be lazy.

The entitlement factor is alive in our youth (I know my son at times suffers from it and I only have myself to blame) and we have to set up boundaries. The money for items that they want comes from somewhere—usually our hard work and dedication to our craft.

Instilling good work ethic in children starts at the home. Lead by examples.

I asked this question to my Twitter stream: “how did you develop your work ethic? Was it a learned behavior?”

Here are a few of the responses I received:

@Tojosan-mostly from being raised that way. Also realizing what works and doesn’t.

@enlightnmegroup- mine was learned, watching my parents work hard to give me and siblings what we needed.

@livelovelibra- I’d say it was a learned behavior…learned it in high school thru marching band

@2muchtv- at 1st, my parents. As I realized how it sucks to work with someone without a work ethic, I didn’t wanna be that person

@msrasberryinc- my ‘work ethic’ is in direct correlation to my ‘need money ethic’ which was learned by needing to pay bills & buy things

@MultipleHeart-learned from my parents. Both have a great work ethic

@jax1125- my work ethic comes from my family of immigrants. I was taught to do what I have to do so I can do what I want to do.

@sowhatiff- I learned by listening to the lessons, observing the actions, seeing the results, and applying all of the above.

@misssld2u- my work ethic is based off of never having parents physically & emotionally there for me. I’ve ALWAYS had to take care of me.

Let’s continue the discussion! How do you instill good work ethic in your children? How did you learn?


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In: Cubicle Life, Parent's Just Don't Understand, Relationships, The 16 yr old, The 6 yr old, The Water Cooler, Twittering in the Cubicle · Tagged: children, generation gap, parenting, work ethic, work issues

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Comments

  1. Reggie L says

    June 23, 2010 at 10:48 am

    I enjoyed reading this. My mom and dad always pushed me to be a hard worker and never take anything for granted.

    Reply
    • Dannigyrl says

      June 23, 2010 at 4:20 pm

      Absolutely. As with anything, out work habits are instilled and enforced by what we saw in our homes. As a parent myself, I am now aware just how much my actions speak volumes. They pattern themselves after us and what we do.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Instilling Good Work Ethic In Your Children — theFreshXpress.com — The PULSE of Young Black America says:
    June 24, 2010 at 6:49 am

    […] continue the discussion! How do you instill good work ethic in your children? How did you learn?[ORIGINALLY POSTED HERE]Tagged as: children, Parenting, work ethic Article by Danyelle LittleThe Cubicle Chick embodies […]

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Two years ago, I wrote my first novel “Christmas Two years ago, I wrote my first novel “Christmas On Clermont Lane”, the first of three books focused on the legacy of the Robinson family. Whenever I’m notified of a new order placed for the book, it still astounds me that people have read my words all over the world. What an honor. If you are looking for a holiday read or a stocking stuffer, order my book on Amazon. Link in bio. 🎅🏾
I got the opportunity to stay in a tiny house this I got the opportunity to stay in a tiny house this weekend, and I must admit, living a more minimalist lifestyle focused on intention and not things has me intrigued. I could so do this. #tinyhouse #tinyhome #stl
Thankful. That’s the caption. Thankful. That’s the caption.
It’s Thanksgiving Break and my daughter & I are It’s Thanksgiving Break and my daughter & I are experiencing The Polar Express for the first time. All aboard! 🎅🏾 🚊
Every cow needs a cowboy. 🐮 🤠 Every cow needs a cowboy. 🐮 🤠
Out here living my best plaid and pumpkin life. 🍁
It’s always going to be the joy, peace, and grat It’s always going to be the joy, peace, and gratitude for me. ❤️
I'm too classy for this world, forever, I'm that g I'm too classy for this world, forever, I'm that girl. ♍️

This is 48! #happybirthday #hbd #hbdtome
Out of office email auto reply like… ✌🏾 Out of office email auto reply like… ✌🏾
Out here summering and whatnot… ☀️ Out here summering and whatnot… ☀️
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