As teenagers, my brothers and...
Illustration
As teenagers, my brothers and I could hardly wait to drive. My parents were firm. They knew that when we started driving, the auto insurance rate would go up. For that reason they stipulated that we were free to use the car as long as we paid for the insurance and the gas we used. But how were we to do that, especially since our parents needed us to stay home and work on the farm?
My parents had the answer. They drew up two lists of jobs. The first list itemized the kinds of jobs that we were to do because we were part of the family -- jobs like cutting the grass, doing the laundry, or washing and drying the dishes. The second list highlighted tasks such as picking fruit, going to market or driving the hired help to and from work. These were the tasks for which we would be paid at the same rate as the rest of our hired hands. When we asked our parents why we weren't being paid for everything they replied, "Some things you do for love."
My parents had the answer. They drew up two lists of jobs. The first list itemized the kinds of jobs that we were to do because we were part of the family -- jobs like cutting the grass, doing the laundry, or washing and drying the dishes. The second list highlighted tasks such as picking fruit, going to market or driving the hired help to and from work. These were the tasks for which we would be paid at the same rate as the rest of our hired hands. When we asked our parents why we weren't being paid for everything they replied, "Some things you do for love."
