Had my boys working on our property yesterday.

Ryan picked up mails at 10 cents a pop, and made $7.40 for two hours work, then he back filled a slip trench for the silt fence I installed for another hour and earned $5 more. He's 9.

Hunter used the field mower (push behind DR Field mower clone) and mowed 3 acres. Had him correct the few mohawks and it looks great! Once he was done there, he helped me on the silt fence, and earned $12.50 for the day. He's 12. Ask Hunter at any time how much money he has, and he'll tell you.

They have also both been honor role students from Kindergarten on. Open up a conversation with Hunter, age 12, and he'll talk with you as an equal, not child to adult.

It is all about the parent, not the kid. Irie is right. If the parents guide the kids as far as what needs to be done, plus the why and how, the kids will do just fine. Too many time I see folks either not make their kids a priority, or they coddle them too much. The kids will turn out fine if the parent does their job and actually "parents" the kids. Push your kids to excel, and they will, but you don't have to go over board. Sometimes it is good to push your kid until he cries, and then show them how to overcome the challenge.

If this continues we'll maintain our slide downhill as we become a nation of even bigger pussies.