I told my mother recently that I wanted my daughter to have things harder than I did growing up. She thought I was crazy because she always told us she wanted us to have things better than she did. Let me explain what I mean.
My parents spoiled my brother and I rotten. They bought us way to many things, clothes, toys, new furniture when we didn't need it. They would go in debt every Christmas and birthday to make things "special" for us. While they did instill in us a great work ethic, I don't believe we appreciated what we had or how hard my parents had to work, as much as we should have. We could have done without much of what they bought for us.
I want Abby to know that we have to make difficult choices and that she will have to work hard for the things she really wants. I believe it will make her think about what is most important to her and she will spend the money she earns more carefully. I also want her to know that spending time with family and friends, building our relationships with them, is more important than the gifts we give or receive.
Abby told me recently that it is better to have me home with her than to get to go out to do special things on a regular basis. This is one of the things we gave up so that I could be at home with her.
All in all, I think she is learning this lesson well. Relationships with people are infinitly more important than things.
In His Service,
Angela
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