Why would we as parents be so cruel to our kids to Not give them a FREE car without earning it in anyway?? Our thought process on this is that Parenting is about preparing our kids for life. In my household, my kids already have so many additional perks in life that we never had. There was a time that I briefly lived in a log cabin with mud in between the logs where you could still see outside, no running water, wood heat (which meant that every sunday we had to cut down trees and split the wood for our woodstove), and of course the awesome outhouse where I tried to wait til daylight cause I didn’t want to step on a snake in the dark!
But Mike, both of your kids will have cars at 16. Yep, my first one did and my second child just handed me $1,000 toward her car today. That’s right, They have to earn it. How did they both come up with $1,000? Babysitting, packing flowers for years, working at their jobs and some bday money they had to give up from family members (their choice). The $1,000 is considered 20 points of the 100 points they must acquire. The other 80 points mainly come from reading (5 points a book that I select with book report) and a few charity options. Why Books? Ever wanted your child to read something that could be extremely impactful in their lives? Well our minds are filled with knowledge that are like rudders of a ship. Change your thinking, change your life. There are so many incredible powerful books out there if they just absorb and hold with them a fraction of them, it has the potential to get them through tough times and enhance their lives. You are What You Think, How to Win Friends and Influence People, 10 Distinctions between Millionaires & Middle Class, 10 Distinctions between Winners and Winers, The Alchemist, Balcony People, Slight Edge, Richest Man in Babylon, and Dream Giver are some that are on the list. If you haven’t read these books, then I highly recommend it. One nugget from these can change your life.
So, yep, they have to earn their cars from Working hard, giving up some things, and spending time enhancing their knowledge with awesome books that will help them through life. Interesting enough they both will have cars and driving before most of their friends.
It gets even worse. Now, my youngest is saving to get her phone fixed because she dropped and cracked the screen. It has been cracked for months and we don’t just run out and buy them new ones. I know, Bummer!!
To my girls – I love you with all my heart! Your Mom and I’s goal is to Empower you with as much wisdom as possible. The Bible says, If you don’t work, you don’t eat. I know it may seem unfair at times, but our job isn’t to be fair. Our job is to prepare you for life. My prayer for you is to Get Wisdom. Bible says even if it costs you ALL YOU HAVE, Get Wisdom and Understanding (proverbs 4:7). It will serve you well in life.
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