My kids have been raised to believe that they help me because that is what is expected of them. It’s simply what family does. They do not help me as a personal favor or because they expect a favor in return.

Last week when The Daughter got her license, there was no question in anyone’s mind that she’s just earned a huge new priviledge. And with priviledges come responsibilities. Right now, The Daughter considers running errands fun. I intend to prolong that way of thinking as long as possible. But when it stops being fun and starts being a chore? Well, too darned bad. She’ll be expected to do it anyway. I say, suck it up and live up to your responsiblities. After all, I paid for the driver’s ed class. I bought the car. I pay the insurance and the gas and the maintenance on the car. Heck, I even paid the fees for her permit and her license.

Sorry to pick on you, Rachel, but thanks for the opportunity to emphasize what I think is a very important point — as parents of young children it’s important to consider future implications of our actions and parenting decisions. It might be cute to pay a 2yo a penny or two for performing a task but will it be so cute when that 2yo becomes a 12yo and pennies are no longer acceptable tender?