My children are asking for work?

Last week, my son Alistair approach me and asked me whether he could work for me? Wow.. that's something new. I have never heard of children asking for work from their parents. Isn't that good. But hey.. wait a minute. The work he is asking actually is not free of charge!! Alistair is charging me for the work he would be doing? Wah.. since when he learned how to earn for a living? I am so curious to why he is suddenly looking for extra money besides his usual pocket money? Later on, I found out from his daddy that Alistair is actully eyeing for the 'LG' handphone that his own pocket money would not be sufficient to pay for it. Now I got it. Otherwise, it wouldn't be his usual style asking for work.

Okay.. I told Alistair, let's sit down and discuss about it. I told him to outline for me what kind of housework he can do at home and name the price? That would be easier mummy, said Alistair. Then all the way from watching the TV, came the sister Megan. What about me? I too need to earn some money you know.!! Okay, I told both them. The two of you discuss and come back to me with your proposal and let me approve the work and to be endorsed by the kakak (our housemaid Julie whom we regard as part of our family already).

The next day, came a long list of housework which really tickles me. Among the lists are:
a) Tidy and Clean the Bedroom - RM10.00 per person
b) Clean the small store - RM5.00 per person
c) Clean the big store - RM20.00 per person
d) Clean the livingroom cabinet - RM5.00 per person
e) Clean my rotan chair - RM5.00 per person
f) Clean my gazebo chair and table setting - RM5.00 person
g) Clean the study room - RM5.00
h) Bath Humphrey - RM5.00 per person

What? Bath Humphrey? Their most loved doggy. Wow.. Humphrey gonna be very angry coz he has to take bath every day. I don't think he's gonna like it. And it will be like wasting the dog shampoo too plus wastage of water. No..no..I told my two new recruit house workers that Humphrey is not going to take bath everyday. It is not cost effective to me. Ok Deal mummy, they said to me and to make our agreement valid, we sign a contract on a piece of paper. So.. there they go with their work. As for Humphrey, he will only be taking bath every monday. What a relieve for Humphrey!!

So, this monday, my two new houseworkers started their work as per their schedule to be monitored by the kakak. When I check on them in the afternoon, guest what? They are resting. So, I ask them, what happen to the work? And this is what they told me. You know mummy, it is not that easy to work. We feel so tired doing work half day and I think we need to rest so that we can watch our favourite tv program and play the video game. If we are not tired tomorrow, we will continue to do our work.

Horray.. at last my children agree with me that it is definitely not easy to work every day. It is tiring but there are times when we have to work.

Today is thursday, and according to my son just now, I already owe each of them about RM60.00. Okay.. fine enough. Am going home this evening and get endorsement from the kakak and pay them accordingly.

My thoughts about my children earning money by doing house work is very touching. Perhaps, I have been nagging to them too much about how important it is to save money and in order for them to get what they want, they have to earn for it. I really hope that upon getting sufficient pocket money, so that they can buy what they want to have in the first place (LG HP for Alistair I think) they will remember the lesson learned.

Oh ya.. I also make them promised to me that upon completion of this contract, they will continue to do the housework without being nag. But deep inside my heart, I feel so grateful that my children start to learn the value of money. Maybe they are slow learner but the fact that they are learning is more important to me.