Let me start off by clearing the air and making sure that everyone knows my parents have not deprived me whatsoever, but am I given every single thing that I want? No. No, I am not. If your parents do give you everything you want in the world, plus more, and can financially support everything you want to do for life then good for you. I'm not condemning anyone or anyone's parents for providing them with everything that their child wants because that's a persons own preference as to how they want their child to grow up, and honestly, to each their own. I am actually grateful my parents have not given me very single thing that I want, but rather, taught me how to work hard for what I want and how amazing it feels to buy something for yourself.
The summer I turned fourteen, I got my first job, as did almost every other one of my friends in my hometown. From that summer on, I have held one and sometimes two jobs in the summer. Some people may argue that fourteen year olds should not have jobs or should not be expected to do their jobs well because of immaturity, but here's the quick solution: give a kid a job and they grow up quickly. At fourteen, I was responsible for handling money and was expected to show up on time and do everything that was asked of me. I learned time management and I learned how to be respectful of others (customers) when they were not nice. The first time I brought home a paycheck from that first job I remember how proud I felt. I had worked hard and had been rewarded and then I could buy myself what I wanted with my own money.
Unless you've ever held a job, I can't express to you how nice it is to be able to get something or do something for yourself and know it is all because of how hard you worked. If my parents didn't make me work for what I want, I probably would not have been half the athlete I was in high school. I knew I had to work hard for what I wanted, so that's what I did. If my parents didn't make me work for what I want, I probably would not have been half the student I am or have done nearly as well as I have in school.
I'm grateful my parents make me work for what I want and because of the way they raised me, I know I have a solid work ethic that will be extremely crucial for me in the next few years when I'm applying for internships and jobs. For kids who have never worked a day in their lives, a little part of me is honestly jealous. I can't say that if I was fourteen, and my parents told me I had the option to get a job or lay at a pool all summer that I would have chosen the job. I'm actually glad I didn't have a choice.
Although I am glad I have held a job for the past six summers, I'd be lying if I said that I always look forward to going to work. I know that when I get done with working both jobs on a Friday night and log onto all my social media, I'll see that my college friends spent all day at the pool and be jealous. But I know I'm that much better off because of how I've spent my last six summers.
If I want something I buy it. I do not have to go beg my parents for money. I work hard all summer long so that when there's actually something I want I know I can afford it. Also because my parents know that I work hard if I ever need any help, they offer what I can. I bought my car myself, with some help from my dad, and although it's not as new or as nice as some of the other cars on my campus I am still proud of it. By applying the work ethic I have learned in the summers over the years to my academic career, I received many scholarships to help pay for my education, and I pay whatever's left.
Because I have also worked for what I want, I am more cautious with my money and I care more about things that I wouldn't if I didn't pay for them myself. Something like my education for example is extremely important to me and since I am paying for my education, I value it that much more.
I am grateful my parents make me work for what I want because if they didn't, I wouldn't be half the person I am today.
