I believe deeply in the value of hard work. Not just as a way to get things done—but as a way to build character, resilience, and real confidence. It’s something my mom instilled in me from a young age, and it’s a legacy I’m committed to passing on to my daughters.
Growing up, we didn’t have much in terms of material things—but we had plenty of responsibility. I learned how to take care of others, including a small zoo’s worth of animals. And I don’t mean just dogs and cats. I helped raise horses, goats, chickens, snakes, hedgehogs, rabbits, fish, African jungle cats, geese, and miniature horses. That life came with early mornings, late nights, and more chores than I could count.
Every day required effort—feeding, brushing, cleaning stalls, nursing sick animals, hauling feed. If I wanted to ride one of our horses, the “fun” had to be earned: grooming, saddling, cleaning hooves, and then cleaning everything again when the ride was done. It was real work, and at the time, I didn’t always appreciate it. But looking back? I realize now how much it shaped me.
It taught me persistence. It taught me self-reliance. It taught me that nothing truly meaningful comes without effort—and that’s a lesson I carry into every part of my life.
Now, as a parent in today’s convenience-driven, screen-saturated world, I find myself asking: How do we teach our kids the value of hard work when everything around them promotes ease, speed, and instant gratification?
We may not live on a farm, but I believe everyday life still offers us chances to plant these seeds.
One of those moments came recently when my daughter asked to make eggs—by herself. I hesitated. She was only seven, and I was torn between keeping her safe and letting her try. But I stepped back, and my husband stepped in to guide her. She cracked them, beat them, scrambled them, and served them with pride. For three mornings straight, I ate those eggs—and I could taste more than just breakfast. I could taste her pride, her independence, and the joy of doing something hard and doing it well.
That’s the heart of it.
We don’t need grand gestures or perfectly orchestrated “life lessons.” We need to recognize the small, everyday opportunities to show our kids that hard work isn’t something to avoid—it’s something to embrace. Cleaning rooms, helping cook, folding laundry, taking care of pets, saving for something they want—these are the building blocks.
Here’s what I want my daughters to know:
- You are capable of more than you think.
- Working hard for something makes it more meaningful.
- Dreams are possible—but not without effort.
We may be starting small, but we are starting. And I believe that’s what matters most.
So I’ll ask you what I continue to ask myself: Are you creating space for your kids to work hard? Are you letting them struggle a little, push through, and discover the pride that comes with effort?
Because in the end, it’s not about the eggs—it’s about the grit that gets built along the way.
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