On any given day, we wake up to the sound of an alarm clock on our Iphone or Android. Most of us take hot showers—enjoying the indoor plumbing—and drink coffee from a Keurig or fancy shmancy Espresso machine. Many of our kids eat Pop-Tarts from a toaster or drink kale and strawberry smoothies freshly blended in a Ninja. We probably pull clean clothes out of the washing machine or dryer and then gather everybody into our car, van, truck, or space ship to get to school and other activities. Fast food restaurants are on every corner offering quick and easy meals on the go. We can even have groceries delivered out in the boondocks where I live now! (Hallelujah!)
There is no question that we are living in a world that is more akin to The Jetsons than The Waltons. There is no part of our lives that modern technology and society have not touched in some way. From the clothes we wear, to the way we do our work, technology has made many of our lives easier, more efficient, and more accessible to input, ideas, and influence from others all over the world. The ways of the past now seem to only exist in museums and “vintage” T.V. shows. Most of the hard ways of doing life from 100 years ago have been replaced with something new. But, I wonder, have we also lost some very important lessons and qualities as a society, also?
Where Do We Start?
My son was working on a project outside the other day, and I just could not get him to do it a certain way that would make the process so much quicker. I said “Son, you have to learn to work smarter, not harder.” Then after it left my lips I thought, “is this really what I need to be teaching him in this moment?” The problem is not that working “smart” is a bad thing. Of course it isn’t! But, do I really want him to take shortcuts to get things done quickly all the time? I realized in that moment that doing it the hard way, and having the pride of finishing on his own, was a much more important lesson.
Something my husband, Justin, and I discuss quite often is how to raise kids with old fashioned ideals, values, and work ethic, while still using technology in the right ways. We know how quickly tech can get out of hand with kids, and, lets face it, grown ups, too! We live on a fledgling homestead, with chickens and a garden of our own, as well as horses and cows to work with at the grandparents’ farm. There is always plenty of work to go around, and with the time and flexibility homeschooling allows, I really want to teach them to be self-sufficient in every way possible. There are SO many great lessons to learn in cultivating and cooking your own food, caring for animals, and learning to keep a home up.
So, how do we balance the old with the new, taking what is good from the traditional ways of doing life, and meshing it with the newer things that really are helpful when needed?
It’s no small task, but it can be done!
Let’s dig into four tips for implementing some old fashioned values into your kids’ lives, regardless of your lifestyle.
1. Don’t make life easy all the time.
I get it, ya’ll. As moms, we want to help our kids and minimize their pain and suffering as much as possible. The problem is that we often overdo it and rob them of important lessons. Living on earth means working and suffering in ways that can’t be wholly avoided. Sometimes we can set them up for failure when we don’t allow them to be uncomfortable. Whether it is putting up the dishes or scooping the poop out of the yard or stall, encourage them to see the job through. They can learn to use creative and critical thinking skills, gain the pride of doing the job on their own, and learning from their mistakes.
2. Remember that chores give kids confidence.
Chores are one example of something that children hate only until they grow to love it. Most kids don’t find excitement in cleaning toilets and setting the table, but it gives them a sense of pride when they know they are trusted to do a job. No matter how simple, chores that are regularly expected help children feel like they are a needed and valuable part of the family. It makes them participate in something for the greater good of your crew. Cleaning, tidying up, repairs, and maintenance of a home or property is a LOT of work. I think that teaching those skills now ensures that they come naturally later on. Many choose to give allowance for chores or extra projects. That can also help children learn to earn and manage their money.
3. Teach them to do what YOU do.
You might be an artist. Teach them to paint. Maybe you are a mechanic. Show them to maintain and repair the family car. If you own a local store or shop, teach them to manage money, merchandise, and records. If you have a green thumb, let them learn to cultivate the potted plants or flower gardens. Do you love to bake? Pass on the special skills of sourdough bread making or cake decorating. If you are a great chef, professional or for your family, let them get involved with dinner! They can shop with you, prep the meal, then help serve and clean up. Do you have family pets? Teach them to care for Lulu, Fido, or Spot on their own. Teach them to make a bed, fold the laundry, clean a counter top, and wash windows. Chances are, if you have to do it, they will one day, as well. Give them a head start with basic know-how and the work ethic to keep pushing for the end goal.
4. Instill manners, respect, and gratitude.
We all know that our food comes from farmers. I know that whether my hands grew it or not, that squash and chicken on my plate was grown by someone. That family Disney World trip came from money saved by parents or family that worked hard for it. Hard work is required for anything we have or enjoy in this life. I want my kids to have gratitude for those who do the hard work for them, AND for the fruit of their own little hands. Gratitude goes a LONG way to contentment.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to….EVERYONE! We all want to feel respected. Teach kids to respect the love and work others give to make them what they are. Our troops oversees, our elderly members of the community, and community and city helpers all deserve gratitude and respect. Modeling that respect is a lifetime of insurance for respectful kids.
In addition to respect, kindness is the lifeblood of humanity, and it’s one of the old-fashioned virtues that so much of our society has lost. Pointing out ways that others have been kind to us and showing our kids how to be kind to others is MAJOR. A smile, simple hello, and opening the door for a stranger are habits many lose with the world of technology. Teach and model for your kids how to interact with other real humans in a positive way. 
Enrich, Don’t Replace!
We can all instill old-fashioned values in our children if we are intentional about it. Families from all walks of life can teach their kids to work hard and to show others respect and gratitude. We can use the modern conveniences of our society, including technology, to enrich the good that already lives inside of us. Let’s just make sure it isn’t replacing those things that are so important to humankind.
