A family that works together gets a lot more done!
That is a phrase that I coined in that past week (at least as far as I know) and I have been using it a bit lately. It not only sounds good, it has been proven to be true time and time again. Now my @little-peppers are all ages seven and below, but we can still get a lot more done when we pool our talents and abilities, and work within our capabilities.
WORKING TOGETHER
THE BASICS
As you may have seen in the video above, children, even young children, are capable of helping out. I know that many would rather watch television than help do the dishes, but trust me, there can be a lot more to childhood than staring at a smart phone on the couch for four hours a day.
I've worked my way up in a few companies before, so I know a little bit about working with people. One of my favorite jobs was being an assistant manager at a pizza restaurant in New Orleans, but more recently I ran a crew of 76 people in a factory up in Wisconsin. Now that I have a lot of my own work to get done, and a lot of @little-peppers that want to come with me, I can use some of the skills that I learned earlier to streamline the process.
I am currently working on a four part series about being B.L.U.E.R. and using some of the things that you will see in the video above and the photos below, so for the scope of this post I will just cover the work aspect of things.
GIVE SPECIFIC DIRECTIONS, PROVIDE INCENTIVE, & MAKE IT FUN
There were two basic jobs that were child-worthy while I was running the angle blade on the tractor to scrape our driveway yesterday. One job was picking rocks and the other was dealing with the topsoil that we scraped up. Since I had three @little-peppers with me, I threw a goat in the mix to spice things up.
As I explain things below, you will see how the goat helps provide incentive and keeps it fun for my children.
JOB 1 - FILLING BUCKETS WITH TOPSOIL
Topsoil from the forest floor can be a valuable resource that I did not want to go to waste. Since I do not have a tractor of my own or a bucket scoop to pick it up with, I fill five gallon buckets with it so it is broken up into manageable-sized portions that I can carry and load into my trailer.
First the children use a small pitchfork to fill a bucket halfway.
A half bucket is a manageable size for a child to carry out of the way. This little guy, Monster Truck, is four years old.
Then the children fill a second bucket half way as well, and carry it over. Now they can dump the second bucket into the first to provide the finished product of a full bucket of topsoil for me, all without having to carry a full bucket themselves. Once they have a full bucket, they move on to job two.
JOB 2 - PICKING ROCKS
Many a child raised on a farm can tell you stories about picking rocks. I guess that it comes with the life. I have certainly heard some from @grandpa-pepper in my time. This is not the most entertaining or fun job, but not all work is.
Any rocks that are small enough for children to carry they are to move to the sides of the driveway. Larger ones are placed on piles, and the really big ones I move myself.
Smaller rocks are picked up by the armload. Just look at how many this little guy had. He is definitely not being lazy about this.
The smaller rocks are placed into buckets so that I do not have to pick them up again, and so they are in convenient quantities for me to move later. There is no specific goal to reach for this job. The first job determined the rate of rotation, so when the child doing job one finishes their bucket of topsoil, they move to job two and relieve the child who had been picking rocks, who then moves on to job three.
JOB 3 - HANGING OUT WITH A GOAT
Some of you may be wondering about this "job." Is the goat going to be used as a "lawn mower" to clear other areas of the land? No, mostly the goat is just to add something cute, fun, and less labor intensive into the mix.
Chances are that this is the "job" that the children will really want to be doing. This goat is a new one that @bluerthangreen and @allforthegood got, and we are watching it, alone with their other animals while they are out of town. This adds a novelty aspect to the job too, since it is a new animal and new experience for my @little-peppers.
When the child who is done picking rocks gets relieved, they some over to take the leash for the goat, and the child who was holding the goat has to go fill another bucket of topsoil.
If the children really want to have another turn with the goat, it is going to inspire them to get that bucket filled as quickly and efficiently as they can. If each child has this same drive, then @papa-pepper gets a lot more buckets of topsoil and a lot more rocks picked in a shorter amount of time.
It also adds a time of rest and relaxation into the mix for the @little-peppers. They have not been sentenced to 18 years of hard labor. They are children. I think that we worked for less than an hour yesterday as a group like this, but I was impressed with the amount of work that we got done.
Amazingly, all three of them asked if we could do it again today! Think about that folks! Now @papa-pepper does not have a lot of experience raising children, but I do have a lot of incentive to do a great job. I think that if you look at this example, you may find some wisdom. Thanks for checking it out!
As always, I'm @papa-pepper and here's the proof:
proof-of-family-working-together
Until next time…
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first of all i wanna say to you that you have the cutest 3 children , those are the Gifts of Gods ,
Secondly you said on top that a family that works togather get alot work done, YEAH I AGREE WITH THIS PHRASE you know what when we unite as afamily and want to done something i think its a blessing of God who gives us such a love to live and love with each other , because
here i want to quote a phrase that UNITED WE ALWAYS STAND AND DIVIDED WE ALWAYS FALL, So its a blessing for you by God you have 3 warriors with you who are always stand by with you,
now come to another thing about your strategy , i enjoyed so much your post about how you mix the goat in the whole work just to make the attraction for your children so that they remain happy and didnoy get bore due to the hectic work its a good strategy that you use i like it , than i was watching the whole video and all the pics of your little girls and other children that how great these babies are and look at the technique and zeal of these kids that they are filling up the bukkets and using the pitfork so much efficiently and the little monster of your haaha he is so cute he is just 4 years old and look at him and his zeal and zest that he is working hard and filling the bukkets with the top soil,
i think you are absolutely right near to me the top soil always good either it is oin forests or in fields i also collect this soil from my fields when i go to my village in Bolton Uk with the help og my brother , he is a farmer there, i hope and wish you will buy a new tractor so that it will easy for you to collect this soil rather than using the pit forks and these kids will also be free from this a bit hectic and more enjoying work ,
and the way they are picking up the rocks with their small and cute hands i wish to be there to help these kids such a beautiful family mambers you have , you know its a heaven for you on Earth that what these kids did today whatever im seeing in these pics ,
and i think you use the good strategy because you also have the experience to how to get work from the people because a syou said in post that you worked as assistant manager in a pizza outlet in orelands and also you have the experience of handling 76 people in a factory in wisconsin so i think you have a sharp mind and the same strategy that you were used in the company to handle the staff unde you thats the same thing with some changing you applied here today and that was successful for you and for kids , the goat is so cute and you babies are too cute and the cutest ever the last picture of you with these kids and goat making me more happy and joyfull,
i just say you a best wishes for you for ever and stay happy with these kids and may God give you long life so that you can live life with these super kids, such an amazing family and last but not the least yeah its
UNION IS STRENGHT
STEEM-OM DEAR THANKS FOR SHARING THESE GOOD MEMORIES OF YOU WITH YOUR KIDS
Thank you so much for that wonderful, REAL comment. These are just the oldest three of my five children, so they will be setting a good example for the other two as they grow.
Thanks @shanzaylizay
awwwww thats so nice you have 5 kids so lovely and thanks for this reward and its my pleasure that i get honor of this real comment because there is a reason of this you post the real scens and real word on steemit and in return i do the same , its my pleasure, say hello to all at home, thanks again
I will. Maybe I will even read your comment to them later on!
Awesome way to get er done and yes as a grandmama I did this with my granddaughters but the goat was replaced with planting whatever trees/berries they wanted and the garden walk was done by them to enjoy! You are rocking it @papa-pepper with the motivation! Shared for others to learn motivation solutions!
Thank you very much!
That looks very Cute...Your children are Cherry to the Eyes...Your life seems so much resembling with ours...Countryside life is amazing...Picking up the rocks from the Garden was my kind of leisure when i was a kid.
Salute de Familia @papa-pepper
Thanks @mirhimayun!
Team Work make the Dream work.
It sure does~
Weldone. I think that many parents should see this because most of our children , unfortunately have been spoilt with technology and thus are too lazy to even help their parents at home and even play outdoors. Keep it up.
Wow...your proof @papa-pepper in this post shows how experienced you are in raising kids! The rock picking, the bucket & soil...the goat aspect ..you beautifully turned work schedule which most kids avoid into a fun experience for them and for us your readers...great post worthy of 100% upvote.
Thanks for showing us steemians the way to be a good parent. My regards to @mama-pepper ...
Thank you very kindly!
Always welcome sir!
I just took another look at this photo. I am amazed to reflect on the look that have on their faces. WE WERE WORKING! Then they asked if we could do it again!!! You are right. Something here is going well!
Yeah...even the look on the goat face shows the goat loved the fun too...!
On your visit to Wisconsin #little-peppers, Grandpa will let you dig on the beach and build sand castles. You can fill up some small buckets if you'd like. No goat though, but we can swim and float on tubes!
@grandpa-pepper is that you! Your son @papa-pepper is thrilling us wit what I guess he learnt from you! Good job sir!
That is him. One kind, gentle, hardworking blessing of a man that I have been able to call my dad all life!
Wow... Lucky you...having a great dad and he is also lucky to have a great son and grand little-peppers!
Thank you @kenhudoy. Those grandchildren have sure been a blessing to us. With regards to @papa-pepper, he has surprised me with his knowledge and skills in areas that I've not really dabbled in. We're learning from each other.
evidence of great genes which runs in the family...
my best wishes @grandpa-pepper
Good idea. We don't want the vacation to get it out of their system! Smart man!
Ah, good point. We'd better do some rock picking on the beach too!
LOL!
You are being a great human and even better father for teaching these kiddos the way to actually work, and not just complain and expect things handed, I love it and RESPECT it!
Too many seem to opted for raising children that other way. I'd rather not curse my children with that mentality.
Amazing, I agree, I own businesses myself and I teach my kids even if I am building something that you can live on, you need to contribute and not just expect, expectation just ruins happiness and sets you up for disappointment. Love your style Pepper!
Getting help from children of a family even make them more responsible individuals.
Yes it does! I fully agree!
@ishratamin
Very correct. Nice comment
This is important. A lot to learn here.
Working together is much more productive than working separate and alone. Many want the benefit of working together but do not want to.
nice family
Sweet family
Keep working. It's beautiful. It enhances the harmony too.
You sir, are creating a great future for your children. At this young age, they are learning to work for something and not just feel "entitled" to everything like this new generation does. Also, they can provide for themselves and their future generations with the skills they have learnt and not have to be dependent on others.
Now tell me about one iPad application among the thousands available which would give children so much hand-on lessons. I guess there are none.
Great comment @tagsplanet I concur...
@papa-pepper is doing very well...
THERE IS NO APP FOR THIS!
That's 100% organic.
Powerful Post , thank you so much , working with family is awesome
when all is well one can count on the others, when everything goes wrong one can count only on his family.
Simply awesome that you and your family can work together to provide for your needs! Best of luck! : )
We are working on it, and so far so good!
Well said,Together We Grow !
Oh yeah! I love this family!
You are busy raising some SERIOUSLY self efficient little individuals!!! That is amazing and way too far and between these days!!! Kids are VERY capable little beings and when given half the opportunity they absolutely LOVE to help out.... they REALLY enjoy feeling useful and helpful.... and yes - many hands make light work :)
What you are doing is simply amazing! I hope that through the sharing of this post, that more mothers and fathers see this! Just wonderful!!!
I wrote a post earlier about problem solving... and would really value your input if you have moment to give it a look :)
https://steemit.com/life/@jaynie/shift-your-focus-solve-your-problems
Again... WONDERFUL to see what you are doing with your children!
I will check the link a little later on, and thank you for sharing your link in an appropriate manner, including real interaction prior to it. I'm glad that you appreciate how we are raising our children and that you support our efforts.
Children are our future. What we as parents instill in them in terms of values and principles is what they will walk with for the rest of their lives. It is so VERY important!
and thank you... not my greatest post, but I was feeling a little low on "energy" today - however, if the message resonates with at least one person at the end of the day... then it was worth it :)
I don't believe that shallow interaction has any value to it, so when I stumble upon a post that speaks to me, I will engage and sometimes share what I have written... sometimes it is appreciated, sometimes not I suppose, but if you don't try, you will never know.
My sole reason for writing on this platform was and is to inspire people (hopefully) - through my own experiences. I have been writing and blogging for a little while but have never had the kind of interaction and engagement with my content as I have had here.... so I am loving it!
Your response was greatly appreciated xxx
lovely, great family...team work is essential to a family's success...totally! Upvoted and resteemed
Papas little helpers :) team work you guys did , it's so adorable to see this communication between all of you guys . Makes me miss upstate area , seeing land like this , now I'm just so used to tall buildings everywhere
This is the best childhood that can be! Children help you and except that they also spend a lot of time in the fresh air. And they don't sit in their phones or tablets. That's very good!
Very on point @yulchata
If most parents find time with their kids like @papa-pepper is doing...the society will be better off!
I agree with you 100 percent! ;)
Yeah. Its why I sent a story on family versus office. Few weeks back...check it out you love it plus my health posts
That reminds me of my short story on family versus office ...quite touching...read it up...
Keep steeming!
Your little slaves I mean babies are very hard working lol They look happy with what there doing and have got to agree would rather see children helping daddy out other than playing on the games staring at a screen for hours :)
Oh yeah, when we can even enjoying working together, things are going well!
You are all working really well, its times like this in years to come You can all look back on what you have achieved together
I know. Without steemit I would not even be documenting this! It will be so great to look back on it and marvel at all that we have done!
Not just you its there for your little ones as memories and for there little ones.
Way to go to get the job done. If it seems like work children don't want to do it but you made it seem fun along with giving responsibilities. Great teaching skills. And it goes a long way being able to spend more time doing things together. The end results are great experiences for everyone. Thanks for sharing your story and photos. Glad you had a bunch of buckets to break down the loads.
We really did have a lot of fun getting the work done, and it was enjoyable to do it together! Thank you!
You are very much true and lovely family
Good lessons for this cute little crew. One of my children's friends paid his way through college by raising and selling goats. Don't know the details!
Well done! If they're ASKING to go back, you're doing it right. ;~P
My sis and I used to shadow Dad on construction jobs. We cleaned bricks for re-use, were 'go-fers', were an extra set of hands, or sometimes just provided an extra bit a weight for leverage. If it wasn't construction, then it would be rebuilding his '57 T-bird. Plus, we had grandparents and great-aunts & uncles showing us how to tend a large garden destined for canning or pickling.
Sis and I never got ripped off for car repairs we paid to have done. We understood how an engine worked. Could change a tire or the oil, in a pinch. (After due consideration of how bad we'd wreck our nails. We're girls, after all.) We knew a claw hammer from a ballpeen and a socket wrench from a open end. We could prep, sow, weed, water, trouble-shoot, harvest, and preserve (family production line-style, of course) a season's worth of fruit and veggies. My great-aunt had a full-on, dirt floor root cellar where all the bounty was stored.
The skills you are teaching the kids will last a lifetime! All of the folks, but my Dad have passed on now. I'll be 60 next year and can still hear each of them giving me advice!
Amazing. Those skills NEED to be passed on or we are doomed.
Exactly. The kids are sponges at this age, too. Add the fun and you're good to go. Awesome job, @papa-pepper!
Hard work doesn't have to be a punishment, joy can be found in it to! Although throwing in the goat, so to speak, was a nice touch! Teaching young children that sooner than later will let them know that they can do what they set their heart to, knowing that some hard work will get them to where they want to be. There are too many people that already have an "entitlement" mentality walking around! Excellent job @papa-pepper ! I'm sure your little ones won't fall into that mindset!
Yeah, I thought that the goat was a wise addition.
it's great that your getting some of there help/work on video as I'm sure in the future showing such things will be part of ones resume digital format :) thanks for sharing and lucky goat to have willing people to hang out with it :D thanks for sharing
It was nice to have the goat along!
I totally agree
Many hands do make for lighter work. This also works for other areas of family life.
They will learn the value of work and an appreciation for what they can accomplish. My parents followed this philosophy, I followed it with my kids and now they are following it with the grandkids.
I am very pleased to hear that your family is handing down a solid understanding of life like that.
This makes me happy!
Glad to hear it!
That's an awesome way to have family time and teach children good work ethics. Many kids today won't even get outside because of air conditioning and devices in their faces. Great article. Thanks for posting.
No kidding, I certainly don't want my children to grow up like that.
You are very wise dad, @papa-pepper and make the right choice in the upbringing of your children! And as a lawnmower, we use geese, they very well gnaw the grass and roots)
Geese, huh? That sounds pretty good.
We have two benefits: poultry meat and a clean yard. And the children are interested)
Good point!
As always - educational - fun - useful - family oriented.
Love it.
Papa-pepper. Is there a way I can contact you? I would like to talk to you about my MSPWaves Sunday show...
@papa-pepper
Steemit.chat?
Sure, I find you... thx
Hermosa experiencia excelente trabajo los padres de hoy en dia se preocupan por comprar solo equipos electronicos de ultima tecnologia, admiro tu tecnica para criar y compartir con tus hijos, deberian crear una escuela para padres, y en el futuro seguro seremos mejores seres humanos el contacto con la tierra la naturaleza el animal despierta en ellos un sin numero de emociones enriquecedoras que lo llevaran por el camino a desarrollarse como buenas personas empaticas, responsables y sobre todo como el ejemplo es la mejor tecnica de enseñanza tambien seran muy buenos padres sigue de esa manera te felicito¡
Unfortunately too many people are never taught how to be parents. They will go to school to learn almost anything but not that.
I am glad to try to set a good example here, and pleased that you appreciate it.
Gracias @exitosa07!
En poco tiempo van a tener que crear escuelas para padres, porque el nivel de violencia agresividad que se vive en el mundo es producto de la falta de orientacion y el amor que le hace falta a los niños que es a lo que usted se esta dedicando siga asi¡
The greatest thing about involving children to work and help out with the family, is the simple fact they are so happy that they did it with you because they love you. Not sure how it works in the teenage years, I have 2 little ones and they love doing things with mom and dad.
I think that when it comes to "teenagers" age is just a number. The stereotype that teenagers get lazy and hate their parents is a newer one, and can be a self-fulfilling prophecy. Personally, I don't believe in it.
If you keep raising your kids with you as part of you and what you're doing, they will just get better and better as teens because they'll start thinking of things on their own they want to tackle.
My parents kept me part of their life this way and it was deeply gratifying to me when I started being able to just do things without having to be told or taught and they would be surprised and pleased by it.
Well said!
I have an old friend who used to call this kind of lifestyle "tomato staking" - he said that young tomato plants needed to be staked to a good strong stake so they would grow big prize tomatoes. Little kids staked to their mom and dad and being part of whatever they're doing grow really good fruit. And there are few things sweeter as a parent than having the willing and cheerful company of my children with me during the normal life things that have to be done.
I love that mentality. In the end, I am not raising children, just like people do not grow tomato flowers. I am raising adults who are just not there yet, like a tomato that is still a flower. These little people need to see things modeled for them appropriately, so they need to be with me for me to show them that.
Thanks for the excellent comment!
You're welcome! I am really enjoying seeing the pictures of you with your children - and it's profoundly true that what you're working on is the finished and beautiful adult because the child is going to disappear so quickly.
Cute sweet kids you have :-). Helping papa. Teaching to help starting at younger age is the best. When we start when the kids are teenagers, its gonna be difficult. Ours kids love to help in the garden too. Its "playing" for them. Helping in a fun way.
I think that they should be included in the activities of the family, it just makes sense and prepares them for life.
Teaching work ethics young. Great that they have short tasks going to a reward. That way they don't become bored with a task. I bet they will be a big help building the house too. Bragging right for them I helped build the house we live in. Just think of all the things your children are learning that in the future they can pass on to their children. Great job @Papa-pepper.
I know, It is so positive and exciting. They enjoy it too!
We desire to grow our family... we are in constant prayer for the Father to bless us with more arrows for our quiver ❤️
Wow! We will pray to that same end!
That's an awesome idea @papa-pepper! Bringing a goat in the mix... Love it! Not very people teach there kids a loving work ethic anymore and sadly weather they believe it or not I think it's why so many young adults no longer strive for the satisfaction of a job well done. Keep up the good work!
I thought that it was a bit brilliant, and it sure worked, and so did they!
Honestly im doing that when im a child, taking care of our goats to feed them and also the big cow... I grow up with my cousins by taking care of my grandmother and grand father by the help of my auntie and ankle. We are really poor but we are rich in love by our parents. Even planting of vegetables we are doing it amd selling outside.
Our kids now is very lucky. They dont need to experience that much... And your three kids, the small boy i am thinking if he look like you? Ahahaha... i like your girl with the dress of magenta color she is sweet... She is like my daughter!
Take care @papa-pepper and enjoy your time to our three little angels... May God bless your family always and guide you...
Proverbs 22:6
He does bless and guide us, thank you!
Rich in love is the best!
Thats the best! Rich in love... ❤
But, thanks be to God that i grow up a good man by the help of my family. Im happy to see your family...😇
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nice kids, they never stopped
Then the littlr rocks get placed into a path, walkway so everybodt can go from home to the barn without getting mudy, Mama pepper will be pleased about that
Congratulations @papa-pepper!
Your post was mentioned in the hit parade in the following categories:
@papa_pepper. We were city kids by my grandpa had us to a family garden in the summers. The kids were in charge of picking rocks, which seemed like a endless task, hoe the rows, weed. I admit I sometimes had a bad attitude but when you tasted those fresh veggies all that went away. Seeing this post reminded me of those days. And it's nice to see a family work together. Good stuff!
I'm glad that this post brought back those memories for you!
Wow the post is lovely, what a wonderful family all parents should use this as an example. I really love this post.
EXCELLENT POST! I'd give it more than 100% if I could. p.s. When I was a teacher, I discovered that students who grew up in homes (and farms and ranches) like the one you've created were unquestionably, clearly happier, harder working, better adjusted, more capable, more helpful and cooperative, better grades, and other positives. It was the way most people grew up just two or three generations ago. Now, most kids -- no fault of their own -- grow up with little access to adults, no household chores, trying to figure out how to raise themselves and their siblings. Severe sleep deprivation (getting up at 4 or 5 am to catch a bus that takes them to a school far from their own neighborhood) and malnutrition (diet of what's sold in vending machines and public-school cafeterias) is also a big problem. Your post is an illustration of a solution that gets to the core of a lot of problems. Thanks for this!
A solid reply and thanks so much. There are certainly a lot of choices that parents can make if they are willing. We gave up a lot to be doing what we are doing, but we wouldn't change it for the world!
Thanks!