The Next Generation - Grandchildren comments?

[penokee]

Try to impart some of the little knowledge I have, with my grandchildren. One of the areas is work/reward. Get them to help making firewood, painting, working on woods projects, etc., and give them a few bucks for their effort. The average weekly allowance in America, for a teenager today is $50.00 and they might not have to work for it (many parents are too tired or busy to give the kids the time they need). With both parents working in far too many families, the easiest thing is to just give them money. Another area I try to expose them too is the woods and the wildlife therein. This includes shooting/hunting. Attaching a picture of my #1 Grandson (oldest) deer hunting with grandpa. What experiences have you had with the grandkids, that their parents don't have time to pass along to them?
penokee /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[johndeere2210]

Oh boy! Grandkids! They are our future. My grandsons dad has absolutely no interest what so ever in anything that is not a video game. Grandma and I are trying to teach our grandson that it is great to be outdoors and work in the garden, yard and etc., and that at times with the right equipment (tractors, riding mowers, carts) it can be a lot of fun. Maybe some of our grandson's knowlege will rub off on his dad. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[BB_TX]

Ain't they great. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif I am lucky in that my son does spend time with his kids in sports, computer games, yard work, camping, fishing, hunting. His wife is a teacher, so she often sits and reads to them. And my wife and I are often along on the sports, camping, fishing, and hunting side of it. And when my grandson comes to visit, we try to schedule work in the flower beds or garden so the he can help. Also take him to the "farm" whenever we can and spend time just being out in the country. He is only 5 now so we have lots of time left to help impart some of our values on him. Two granddaughters, 2yrs and 6 months, coming along behind. Gonna be some great times coming up. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Retirement planned in 3 yrs so it should only get better. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[RobS]

$50!?! I could live on that! I'm sure it's different for a teenager but my boys get $1 and $2 each (5 and 10 years old), but only if they do their chores for the week. Chores are pretty light, not like we live on a farm or anything but some basic household duties. I guess I'll have an eye-opener when my kids get a bit older.

Good work with your grandkids. Many times I wish either/both of our fathers were still alive to be with the boys. Both grandmothers still with us but I don't think either of them are going to be teaching the things you are passing along /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Cliff_Johns]

Interesting idea, allowance.

I never had one, probably wouldn't provide one if I had kids. If they wanted some money for something, I'd give it to them.

$50 a week sounds absurd. It seems mighty unlikely that this is the average. Perhaps the average for suburban kids in nice neighborhoods (who drive cars and need gas money), but I can't imagine that being the average.

My father was generally willing to give me money for specific things (going to the movie, lunch, new ship model, whatever), but the idea of being paid to be a kid (or to do chores) I think would have made him laugh. I guess my views are the same.

Cliff

 

[Highbeam]

It is that 50$ a week that buys their weekly drugs and alcohol.

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Interesting idea, allowance. I never had one )</font>

I did once; for a whole year; 50 cents a week. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif That was my birthday present for my 13th birthday. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[kensfarm]

Allowance.. what's that?

When I was a little kid.. I remember my Dad paying me a penny (.01) for every weed I pulled out of the lawn. I put them in piles of a 100.. and ended up w/ 20 piles. That was a tuff $20 to earn.

I delivered papers from 7th-12th grade.. I got to meet the people in the neighborhood.. and got several lawn jobs for the summer. I even bought my first vehicle (a truck) w/ paper route money.

I never got to meet my GrandDad's.. passed away before I was born.. it would have been priceless to learn from them.. both were old time farmers. My Dad & Mom do spend a lot of time w/ their grandkids on their farm.. driving tractors & fishing.

 

[OkeeDon]

Aahh, grandkids aren't all that important. 'Course, the fact that we bought land and are moving just to be next to our grandkids' house doesn't mean anything...Zoe's 4-1/2, Erin's 2-1/2 and Aidan is about 10 weeks...

Zoe and Erin are already helping Grandma plant small trees and shrubs -- we located the future butterfly garden on the border between our properties so it will be close for everyone.

 

[RobS]

Nice batch-o-kids there Don, looks like they turned out real fine. Bet they can't stand their granddad, can they /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif