Work Ethics: Inherited or Taught?

Work Ethics: Inherited? No. Taught? Yes. 

Recently I had a friend stay with me for one week in my home. She has known me 15 years but has never seen me so up close and personal.  At the end of a few days, she said she was amazed at how I could just open the pantry and make a meal for 5 people out of nothing. I told her I was raised on a farm and I can pretty much make a meal out of whatever is in the pantry.  I am very creative that way and I don't use recipes ever.  This is a skill I learned from my mom. 

As I move on in life I realize that my valuable traits such as my tenacity, work ethic, ability to overcome obstacles are because of the way I was raised, not because of my personality.  I am a third generation American farm kid. I worked in the fields and with the animals from a young age. A good work ethic was passed on to me.  I am trying to pass it on to my daughter.  When she complains that she does not have designer clothes or an iPhone I just laugh. 

There will always be something at Nordstrom you want.  But you cannot manufacture values, ethics, and integrity.

If you can pass on some integrity to your children you should. It is your obligation as a parent. They may not value their teachings now but they will as an adult.  I could buy my daughter new clothes every month and an iPhone.  I don't.  She can earn those things when she gets her first job.  

I love this photo of my grandparents and my aunts and uncles circa 1946.  This photo was taken on a farm in Yakima, Washington.  My mom was the youngest of 8 and grew up on a successful dairy farm that was built on the hard labor, integrity, and grit.  It's hard to come up with heavy work chores for your children when you live in the city, but we still have a vacuum cleaner and dishes to do.  

Integrity and a good work ethic can be taught. I look at my daughter and she is my legacy. Everything I have learned that is valuable to me I am teaching her. She may not want to learn now because she is a preteen but 20 years from now she will remember. 

What are you going to teach your children? 

Ciao for now,

Tara

My Mom's Parents and siblings circa 1946