Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Focus on Character Building




Every Tuesday and Thursday -- rain, shine, snow, sleet, hail, earthquake, sickness, health -- a big stack of Davis County Clippers (our local newspaper) arrives on our porch. My children deliver the newspaper to dozens of houses in our neighborhood.


They don't make a ton of money. Sometimes it's a real pain to have to deliver those papers. But through it all, I hope they're learning a few lessons about responsibility and money management. I often tell them it's a character builder.


You might say newspaper ink runs in our blood in this family. I have a journalism degree. I haven't worked full-time in the industry since my oldest son was born, but I still keep my fingers in it through freelance writing. And helping my children fold Davis County Clippers twice a week.:) I guess it's a character-building opportunity not only for my children, but for me, too!

28 comments:

Kristi said...

That's the coolest thing ever! I hope I can come up with an idea like this to instill character and a sense of responsibility in my son when he gets a little older! Wonderful post!

For Over 29 Years... said...

I think that's really neat. You hear about "in the old days" my job was a paper route, but you dont' hear that much anymore. Great job Mom!

Anonymous said...

Delivery without fail. Thats a great lesson.

Mom2Drew said...

Oh, those were the days. I had a paper route and can remember getting up super early and somedays it was snowing/sleeting...ick! good for them though.

Stacey said...

Thats awesome that your kids/you do this! I think it's wonderful for kids to have responsibilities (sp?).

Anonymous said...

That is so cool that they do that!!! Great thing to capture!
Cari

Michelle said...

good for them doing a job like that! it definitely is a great character builder. great job on the focus too.

--sme said...

Great shots!

Debbi said...

Good for you for teaching these character values! They aren't easy - and isn't is amazing how much we learn when we try to teach them to our kids? Fun shots.

amazing grace said...

i like that dof in the first shot!

me said...

that is some great focus!

Lori said...

I agree with you here!! I secretly wished that I could do this when I was a kid, but we lived too rural. I had a friend who lived "in town" and she made it sound so important!

C said...

We all had to learn about money sooner or later. great pictures!

Liz said...

How cool for your kids!
I really like your photos especially the one with the rubberbands in front.

Sharon said...

Very nice post and photos too.

Val said...

Great lesson for the kiddos!

Jen said...

Teaching life lessons should be a focus in all lives! Good for you!

Bobbi said...

Great focus in these pics, way to go to you and your children for this responsibility. I think it will be a great character builder.

Becky said...

Great focus in these. My DS's character builder is picking rocks at a local farm--it's awesome!

Tomboymama said...

Oh boy, can I relate. I did a twice weekly paper route (800 papers each time) for about 7 years! I think it is great that your kids are doing that and learning some of those important lessons early on! Great pictures!

Ashley Hiskes said...

That is so cool!!!

Kristina said...

Great focus! And great that your kids do this.
Kristina K.

It's These Little Moments said...

Good for them. That very admirable...that they stick with it no matter what.

April said...

This brings me back to the days that i had to wake up at 5 (maybe even earlier..i just remember it being way too early) to deliver newspapers. I was just a fill-in and I only had to do it a few times. Great photos!

Danielle said...

Great shots! Way to go teaching the kids good work ethic. I too am looking forward to meeting you on the 26th. I always like looking at your pics.

Unknown said...

FUN!!! My sister used to substitute for the neighbor boy that did that! What a great character builder!

Travis said...

Nice shots, its always good to build character in your kids, I'm glad my parents taught me the value of hard work, although when I was a kid I hated it.

Travis

Farrah Jobling said...

I love the photos and the story that goes with them. I love the idea of a paper route for the kids...I remember having one as a kid too.