The Most Horrible Parents Ever

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I think once they get used to it they will do it with a bit less drama. Thanks for sharing your tales with your own kids and those of you growing up. Different times indeed. I remember getting the back hand by dad and the wooden spoon but havent done that with my kids and they are expected to do as they are told, and they do. My 12 year old son used to be a big complainer and would complain to mom when I was out of ear shot about wood hauling or stacking. One time I heard my daughter whos 4 years older than him say to him that the complaining will only make dad harder on you and make you and him unhappy and you will still have to do it anyways. Hes gotten better over the years. He even comes out and does a few truck loads of harvesting each year which he seems to be enjoying now. I also know when to call it a day so the experience remains positive. I can work until I can barely walk and call it a fun day but not often the case for 12 year old boys. My daughter has mostly been good about it as long as I give her some notice so she can factor it into her plans which is fair. My wife has a bad elbow right now and my son broke his upper arm this month so my 16 year old daughter is helping with the snow and the weekly hauls of wood into the garage. No complaints.

 

I don't remember you at the dinner table. But I'd swear you were talking about the same parents that I grew up with.

On second thought, I won't swear, that leads to soap or crushed red peppers, whichever is closest to Mom at the moment.

My Dad, had an awesome back hand, he could swat me in the car, directly behind him without ever taking his eyes off the road.

And nowadays people are distracted by texting.

When I was a child I thought my parents (primarily Dad) were hard on me.
When I finally grew up (not completed yet I'm afraid), I thanked them both for the upbringing they gave, even if I didn't like it at the time.

I just wish they were still around to keep me in line when necessary.

Chaz

 

LodgedTree I am sure you're not over-working your daughters, even if they feel that way at the moment.

Things are perspectively quite different between us and them. They don't understand it yet, but they will in the future.

Hold the line!!

Chaz

 

Just something to think about- ask yourselves how this is gonna fly when they get out into the real world and pampering mom and dad aren't around to humor them. Let's not love our children into a bad future for themselves, please.

 

I can remember "charging" for supper and breakfast, a ride to a friend's or for a seat in my car to go to the ice cream store to make a point about money and helping out.

 

My oldest is 16 (the other one is 1, so no work for her yet!) and isn't really a fan of stacking. She doesn't mind scrounging much, and does a great job packing the truck bed.

She is busy between swim, track, work, and band, and a load of honors/AP classes at school. I try to take it easy on her with schedule she keeps, but she does understand that when it's time to work, it's time to work. There is some whining sometimes, but a lot less since she started working for money last summer and sees that it takes work to have the things we want. We usually have a good time once we get into a groove, and I try hard to remember it. Just a few short years before she's off into the world.

 

I'm with Canadian border VT on this one. Throw on a jacket and let it cool down til they bring in the wood. They will realize how little effort it takes compared to the benefit the wood provides. Especially if it is already cut, split and dried.. My biggest concern is when my kids get a place of their own. Our house is routinely 75 degrees. If they try to maintain a rental at that temp, there will be shock and awe over their first energy bill and a subsequent overreaction to reduce future bills. I think at that point they will begin to truly appreciate the benefits of heating with a wood stove.

 

....Lodged Tree...I think you need to make things right with those kids and go out and buy them the latest cell phones and a puppy...once you have done that you should humbly ask for their forgiveness.

 

I believe the country would be better off if parents would stop raising kids and start raising adults. As someone posted, the goal is to produce well adjusted contributing members to society.
In a family, mom and dad do not get paid to do what needs to be done for the good of the family and children should be expected to contribute to the well being of the family. If that means helping with wood or washing and drying dishes, so be it. Kids should not expect to be paid for every little thing they do around the house. My wife and I never got paid for raising our two boys. The oldest still likes to come down at least one weekend a year to help with firewood or whatever pressing project I am working on. I really appreciate his volunteering to give the "old man" a bit of help.

 

....umm...how do we know when we become the 'old man'? For me I think it was when I realized I was using a lot of the sayings that my Dad used on me....kinda proud when the 'old timers' that were close to my Dad tell me I am a lot like he was.

Let me add something: I was using his sayings and words that he taught me on my own kids and at that time I finally realized how wise he was and how much he cared about raising me right.

 

You get to call yourself an old man when former neighbors of yours that are your age tell you they are about to become greatgrandparents.

 

It’s great to hear that there is consistency across the country. Once my boys get going they do it well but they forget gloves, coats and have to crap every time we are scheduled to go out.
I’ve explained to them that I was raised doing this kind of work. Between being raised as a wood cutter and military experience there is no way they can wear me down. We are getting a truck load if it takes 4 hours or 13 hours. They are seeing the light. Work hard and go home, work slow and crazy Dad will keep cutting.

 

My son has been bringing in the firewood since he was 6 or 7, 16-18" splits, and as many as 6 cords a winter.
He did need some help when he was younger, but now he's 13, and knows how to get it done and out of the way.
I can't remember what we paid him, but it wasn't much.
Once he got a tablet he stopped getting money and earns time to play games.
The only work my oldest (16) gets paid for is when she watches the younger kids, or mows the grass.
The two oldest each earn $5 for mowing the lawn, and the church property is a big one.
I also give my son $5 for every cord stacked in the firewood rack .
The younger two also have chores, and are only paid in screentime on their tablets .
I had a coworker tell me years ago, that I had servants, not children.
I told him that I was raising them to be productive adults, not loosers, living in my basement.
I'm very glad they know where heat comes from, instead of thinking that the thermostat is free

 

I'm 35 and when I was growing up I actually enjoyed helping my dad. The most fond memories was when my grandparents tried to get us to start attending Catholic Church regularly and my dad would basically make stuff up so we didn't have to go. Every Sunday he "had to work on his car and needed help", so we basically hung out with him in the garage and did piddly things on his 'Cuda while he drank beer and we listened to the oldies channel.

 

One of my favorites- you should play this at max volume when the kids start whining

 

I’m surprised that out of the 3 of them one wasn’t more enthusiastic. Usually you have the lazy one, the hard working one and the goofy one, or some variation.
I was a laaaaaazy kid but enjoyed processing wood. We had a buzz saw and a splitter and my grandpa would come over and we’d all work together and have a good time. I think it was a simple task we all could do together without any major disagreements.

 

I was 5 when my parents got their wood stove, I got a dollar a week to haul in the wood, we moved when I was in the sixth grade, and the new house was oil heat only.
no more wood, instead I took over the lawn mowing and snow removal.