I grew up working, and learned from an early age to keep going until the job was finished. We had the opportunity to participate in building a business and seeing what we could produce over time. I remember my older brother and me getting up early and going out with my dad to paint houses for an Amish contractor in Lancaster County. Around noon we would come home ad eat lunch; while my dad would go back and finish painting, we would do our homework, and in the evening we would do whatever needed to be done for the business, from packing boxes to putting labels on VHS tapes.

Even though there was always a task to be done, my parents would always take a day off on the weekend and we would relax as a family and enjoy the world around us. We would take hikes, have cookouts, go canoeing or just lounge around the house and enjoy a good book. Having a rhythm to the week helped me experience the benefit of both work and relaxation.

It is important to show children the value of hard work and to be diligent in completing a task, but it is just as important to show them how to take a break and enjoy the world around them. There is something human about working hard followed by a relaxing weekend grilling hamburgers or going canoeing. Take the time to show your kids the value of working hard and also relax with them to show them the value of living a more balanced life. Learning to relax can sometimes be harder work than work.

Part three of a four part series on work.

Part 1 – What’s the Color of Your Child’s Parachute?
Part 2 – Happiness and Earned Success
Part 3 – The Value of Work & Relaxation
Part 4 – Tips for Helping Your Kids Develop a Strong Work Ethic