Family Work

It is not uncommon to hear people reflect back to "the good ole' days," but what is it that makes the past such an alluring time? We have so many new advances, machinery and technology now, that you might wonder why anyone would want to go back to a time without so many conveniences. Families used to have to wake at the crack of dawn to get to work on the farm. Children would labor side by side with their parents to milk cows, gather eggs, harvest fruits and vegetables, make bread, and wash clothes by hand. 

Grandparents love to reminisce about their past history, which was often spent in the company of parents and siblings. But, times started to change after advances were made. Fathers were sent to work in factories and children sent off to school for most of the day. Mothers were left to care for the household with the replacement of new modern machines instead of children. Changing laws, views and morals have gradually separated family members from one another as they pursue their own individual interests. This "Leave it to Beaver" lifestyle might  seem perfect to some. Sure, parents were authoritative, kids well-behaved, and generally speaking- husbands and wives lived with respect for one another; but the share of household duties became largely a woman's job. While mothers cooked and cleaned, fathers worked and children played. Eventually, the woman's movement even took mothers out of the home to labor in the workforce and earn a few extra bucks to pay for extra conveniences and luxuries.

Hawkins et al. states, "while the economic model values efficiency, independence, and profit, the Lord teaches long-suffering, humility, and love unfeigned" (2012). While societal norms have constantly changed to eventually drive individuals and families away from each other, God's standards for loving and united families has remained the same. Russell M. Nelson once said:

“The home is a great laboratory of love. There the raw chemicals of selfishness and greed are melded in the crucible of cooperation to yield compassionate concern and love for one another" (1999).

Families that work side by side together are able to grow in appreciation, love, and concern for one another. It has been found that children who are responsible for self-care and family chores benefit by gaining valuable self-regulating skills and by learning to care for and think about others. Studies have also shown that children who do chores are more likely to "have more friends, and are less likely to disobey teachers, make trouble at school, or be depressed or withdrawn" (Coltrane, 2010). Maybe these benefits are what makes the old times look so good. Families worked together and became close knit as they served and helped one another. They all took satisfaction in making their house a home, while at the same time spending irreplaceable time together with their loved ones.

 Think back to the time spent with your family. When I do this, a large portion of my fondest memories include working side by side with my grandparents, parents and siblings. I loved to help Grandma cook in the kitchen, can fruits and vegetables, and care for the garden. Grandpa let me help with feeding the animals, ride with him on the tractor and horses, and watch him weld something for a neighbor. I learned valuable lessons from spending time working with my grandparents. I also helped my parents weed the garden, pick fruit from our trees and even build a cabin together as a family in the mountains. One of my clearest and favorite memories with my cousins was helping them clean the house while we listened to music blasting loudly from the stereo. My siblings and I also loved to have music playing in the background so we could sing along while we did our chores. Even though at the time we hated chores, looking back on it now makes me grateful for the that time of bonding and working together.

When I got married and started a family of my own, I was grateful for the skills I had learned growing up to care for my own home and be able to cook meals. As a mother, I am all too familiar with the common complaint of children who are asked to clean their room or do their chores. Many times I think it might just be easier for me to do it all on my own to prevent from hearing the complaints and to make the job faster and done better. However, this would not benefit my family. Completing mundane chores side by side with our children not only teaches them valuable skills, but gives parents and children an opportunity to interact. It sends the message to our children that they are valued and needed. They are also more likely to complete chores happily when we are willing to help them and make it fun. When our children were younger, we used to make a game out of their chores. For example, we would have them find and pick up all toys of a certain color, or see how fast they could clean up. I have passed down the practice of blasting music throughout the house when its chore time. While society has changed in its views and practices regarding family work, we can still apply the examples of our ancestors and create stronger family bonds through working together.