Today children seem to want every thing they see advertised on television. As I look around and talk with parents, it appears to me that far to many parents are willing to give their child whatever they ask for. Recently a father contacted me at AskUncleTerry.com. This father was telling me that just two years ago he had purchased his son a PS2 and last year the kid started throwing a fit because he didn’t have a PS3. His son was now turning 16 and talking about the car he expects to receive for his birthday. The father whom is a successful executive had asked if he should buy his son a car and if not how should he handle it? I told the father that he should not give his son everything that he asked for and perhaps should be giving him more kicks in the seat of the pants!

I do not care how rich you might be. Our children do not inherit a work ethic by watching their parents work their buns off. Work ethic does not come from playing video games and going to the mall or on dates with money or credit card given to a child by their parents. If a child wants an automobile they should be expected to help pay for it or at least contribute to the operating expenses. Parents also need to set limits when it comes to expenses such as clothing and electronic toys. Just because you can afford it, you do not purchase your child the most expensive shoes, clothing, game system or games just because they expect you to. Set limits as to what you will and will not purchase for them. Let the child do extra chores or get a part time job if they want items that are beyond those limits. Even when the child participates in the purchase of vehicles, gaming systems and computers do not forget that you are the parent and you take control when the child is out of control. My own son learned several times that while he may have had a car and shared in the expense of its operation, I owned the keys to that car.

Instilling a work ethic is one of the best gifts that any parent can give a child. While it is best to start this training while a child is young, even if they are now an adolescent or young adult it is never to late to start saying no. Yes, perhaps I am just mean old Uncle Terry, but I am proud to be of the old school with my dad’s work ethic and my mother’s thriftiness.

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