You ask everyone you know if they have a job or two that you can do to earn money. For his Dad he is helping put in a new lawn at their rental property, for Grandpa its rolling bales so the stack wagon can pick up the bales easier, and for Grammy….its weeding
We found lots of cool things to look at while weeding, worms, butterflies, and a snake skin
Since I have lots of weeds, I hope he stays with me even after he gets his bike purchased.
Linda
Life on a Colorado Farm 
Hooray, a young man who knows he needs to earn money and not just get what he asks for.
Maybe Grandma can pay him in cookies for pulling weeds after the bike is purchased. 🙂
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When your done with him I think I could use some help too 😉
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That may be the difference between country kids and city kids. City kids don’t seem to be asking how to *earn* money.
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Letting kids work for things they want is a great gift. My son bought his first computer with money he made when he was 10. He worked at the local vegetable stand bagging corn for sale to the public and doing the “grunt” work. He worked for an elderly gentleman who plants oak trees along the highways, hauling water to the seedlings. That was great because he got to hear the fellow’s stories about growing up in our community 80 years ago. I matched the earnings Bob made on that job. Through the years, he has always been able to find a job because he knows how to work. He bought his own car and has always paid for his own insurance. Maybe this is easier in a rural area? I don’t know. But I support any kid who comes around looking for work to do. It’s a good thing.
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Oh, what wonderful memories and so much pride he will have when he finally gets his bike. Congratulations to all of you for showing him how it’s done the right way and giving him a chance to learn and grow. Some of my best memories are similar jobs on my aunt and uncle’s farm when I was around that age.
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Makes things so much more worth while when you earn them! To bad more parents didn’t teach their kids that! Grandma you also get lots of wonderful help.
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Hehe. Hopefully he will, yes. 🙂
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I am trying very hard to teach this to Dude. So far, he’s interested in working, but once he realizes how long it will take him to earn something, he basically gives up. Now, my stepdaughter (bonus daughter) is happy to work to earn things. She worked towards earning a new laptop recently and even found an after school job for herself at the age of 9. She worked at a kitty rescue for 2 hours after school 3 days a week. They paid her $5 an hour, which she saved towards her laptop herself.
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I am trying very hard to teach this to Dude. So far, he’s interested in working, but once he realizes how long it will take him to earn something, he basically gives up. Now, my stepdaughter (bonus daughter) is happy to work to earn things. She worked towards earning a new laptop recently and even found an after school job for herself at the age of 9. She worked at a kitty rescue for 2 hours after school 3 days a week. They paid her $5 an hour, which she saved towards her laptop herself. Ultimately, the rest of the family chipped in to help her get it for her birthday. I think she’ll treasure it more since she had to work for it, don’t you?
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I agree. He will value that bike much more after having to sweat a little for it. And everyone around will get to enjoy his company and energy.
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I think he will look back on this experience and value the time he spent with you, Dad and Grandpa as much more important to him than the bike.
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He certainly is working hard and I’m sure he will soon get his bike. But if he needs extra income, I’m sure we’ll have plenty of weeds by the time we get back home.
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He is gonna be so proud of himself!
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A nine year old actually earning his new bike! That rocks – too many kids that don’t earn it. He looks like a really fun helper to boot! 🙂
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That is so sweet! I bet it wouldn’t take much to convince him to stay. Sometimes I think my kids are doing to run away and move in with my parents! 🙂
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Way to go! All of you :-).
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Great post! Maybe we can all send our kids to work for you also! Your next career.
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