Putting the Kids to Work

I am finally realizing the gains of having children. We are no where near tipping the scales of daycare, diapers and toys but, at seven years of age, we now have a child making a contribution to the family. Sort of.

Liam is an accumulator. He likes things. Lots of things from the mundane rubber band collection to the expensive Battle-B-Damons that are the latest in attraction for this age group.

Liam is cat-sitting. This upcoming holiday weekend, Liam has rooked (er...solicited) my girlfriend to pay him $28 for 4 days of litter boxes, feeding / watering and entertaining. And he has managed to have her throw in a dip in her pool in case the work is too excruciating. Once the seed was planted, he coaxed his aunt into paying for a one time home visit to her felines (at an outrageous $7) for the same treatment. Did I mention that she ALSO has a pool?

So, the deal with Liam is that he can spend half of the money that he makes: giving him a whopping $17 for Yu-Gi-Ohs and B-Damons. The other half goes into his bank account. He is doing this kicking and screaming but that is the only way that I will agree to allowing him to rape and pillage my friends and family for money.

And, if it not unrealistic to hope that your Yu-Gi-Oh card collecion will be enough to put you through university, then it cannot be too much hope for a mother to think that odd jobs can add up to part of that education as well.