The Power of Perspective

Carrying cement, enduring flies and heat, dirt & more dirt, stacking brick after brick,

the joy of the outhouse, cold showers, dust in the eyes...

 PLUS

...joy through service, hugs and kisses from little children, delicious food, strengthened friendships, natural beauty, cultural education, practicing Spanish, new friends...
EQUALS

A life-changing experience for my children in Tequisquiapan, Mexico.

The MAJORITY of children in the US are extremely blessed! We have more than we possibly need and have comforts that most of the world does not know about or can only dream of. A humanitarian service trip (www.ffhe.org) was just the thing my children needed to have their eyes and hearts opened. It gave them perspective that can only come from visiting another land where abundance is not the norm. It provided them with an opportunity to give of their time, their funds, and their love to people who really need it. This experience taught them new skills AND an invaluable lesson: Happiness is not obtained by acquiring "Things".

Tequisquiapan, Mexico

Working on cement floors

Learning and building

One of the many stoves they constructed for the people

They donated backpacks (www.tetonsports.com) and school supplies to a school in Mexico

One of the recipients of a stove; now she doesn't have to cook over an open fire

These workers were so happy to receive a backpack!

The whole group with their security friends (they had Mexican police transportation everywhere they went)

Our wonderful Spanish Teacher with some of the kids

They had time for fun, too. All the girls wanted their picture with an American boy.

Time for shopping!

and Forest Frolicking

Enjoying the Outdoor Adventure

The final wrap up of the trip!

So long, Tequisquiapan...'till next year!

Yes, next year. My son loved it so much that he's saving up for next year's trip. (My daughter will be in college so no Mexico for her). A few things that struck me when they returned home...

1. "I want to go back next year!"

2. "The people have so little, but they're so happy!"

3. "The food was amazing!"

4. "We didn't really buy anything because we don't need anything!"

5. "We have sooooooo much!"

Ohhhh, the power of perspective! Fabulous things happen when children step outside of themselves to help another.

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

A Kudos to Commitment

After nine months of working, working, working and saving, saving, saving, our daughter succeeded in earning the money to travel to Washington DC with her school class for a ten day educational experience. A Kudos goes out to her for making the commitment and fulfilling it. We're so thrilled you had a fantastic time!

A thumbs up for all my hard work...it was worth every minute of it! (Enjoying Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia)

She kept track of her finances using the Stick-to-it Money Management System. Do you have the desire to instill in your children successful money management skills? Learn more here:

http://www.sticktoitcharts.com/MoneyManagement.html

Good job, EE!

More to Come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

Do they REALLY know?

We're making big financial moves in our house....our oldest daughter opened up her own checking account! Note to self: my daughter is going to kill me for posting this, but my kids know I reserve this picture taking/posting right as their mother - the one who has fed them, clothed them, nurtured them, loved them! 

I took pictures of her writing her first check; I couldn't resist. However, I opted not to post the one showing the completed check due to possible identity theft.

"Mom, please....must you?"

We've had several training sessions about balancing a check book, where to write the transactions on the register, bouncing checks (not that she has - just warnings), what's a deposit?, saving receipts, "I have a cool pin number", all about interest, debit vs. credit, etc. Truthfully, it surprised me that she had so many questions about the whole process. I guess I "assumed" that she knew all the details from watching, hearing, observing, discussing over the years. First lesson - never assume. Make sure they REALLY  know, whether it be taking care of their finances, memorizing their multiplication facts or how to properly clean a bathroom or brush their teeth. (Or, how to properly aim - just dealt with that accident)

And when it comes to finances, take the time to chat with your kids. Teach and train them NOW so they'll have the knowledge and experience under your roof. Then when they're under their own roof, they'll be a little more prepared. And hopefully, they'll avoid the bounced checks and go for debit instead of credit.

If you need some assistance or want a hands-on approach, try the Stick-to-it Money Management System - www.sticktoitcharts.com

More to come...but until then, Stick-to-it!

Want it now? Get it later!

In the ever-growing age of "want-it-now... gotta-have-it now", it's up to us as parents to teach the importance of working towards and saving for a goal, not giving our children what they want with no investment on their part. A few years ago, our 8 year old son (5 years old at the time), wanted a scooter. I told him that if he really wanted a scooter, he could work hard and earn one. We created a chart consisting of squares worth 50 cents per job. The number of squares coincided with the amount of the scooter. Whenever he wanted to do an extra money job he put an X on the square and when all squares were marked, he was given the money to buy his scooter. He recorded his earnings, paid his church donation and then we purchased his scooter.

(Visit www.sticktoitcharts.com/products.html for a money-tracking system that really works!)

It was a fabulous teaching time for him; he was at the wondrous age where children are so curious about money. They have the capacity to understand that items cost money (they just don't show up) and that money has to be earned through hard work, not just taken out of Mom's wallet. He did extra jobs for two months to earn that scooter and after accomplishing his goal, he had such a sweet sense of satisfaction and success. Not only did he enjoy his scooter, he took care of it. He worked so hard to get it...he didn't want anything to happen to it. Something that's hard to acquire is hard to forget.

A few months ago, this same child wanted an alarm clock. He wanted to be like his older siblings. We gave him the same option as the scooter. See his chart below:

 

 Again, he was consistent and diligent and earned his alarm clock. This concept is one that when learned at a young age, will pay off greatly when children are older. With age, the price tag of the desired item becomes greater, and if they expect Mom and Dad to cough up the dough, well, prepare your wallet now. Or, try the want it now, work for it and get it later approach. It works wonders.

More to come, but until then...Stick-to-it!