Workin' For A Livin'

Sometimes ordinary mundane situations have extraordinary outcomes. That was the case this week when my almost 15-year-old son was cutting our grass.

Watching him mow the lawn is often a painful experience. He has one speed - slow - and his method of mowing is unlike anything I've ever seen before. Each time he cuts the grass it looks like he is going to pass out from exhaustion, and that is after only five minutes. He will often leave a section uncut and forget our instructions in his teenage attempt to just get the job done. But earlier this week, somehow his lawn prowess earned him a job. His first actual J-O-B.

He has been trying to get us to pay him for mowing the entire lawn. Our yard is a lot and a half, so while we are not talking about tons of acreage, the job is not an easy one. (I know because I've done it.)  We have been reluctant to pay him for something he should do as part of our family, but I also know he needs some spending cash. We have been encouraging him to look for jobs close to home but nothing has worked out which meets our criteria: minimal activity, not many hours, preferably within walking distance, and did I mention minimal exertion?

When he was cutting our grass this week one of our neighbors came out to talk to him. This neighbor is the kind that is curious when things are happening around him and likes to ask questions. I noticed the two speaking and wondered what was up. I could not hear the conversation because my son did not turn off the mower during the encounter, which gave my husband and I a chuckle. Much like the conversation between Jack Butler, armed with a running chain saw, and Ron Richardson in the 80's classic "Mr. Mom".

A short time afterward, my son entered the house and told us he was asked to cut the neighbor's grass and they would work out the details later. I cannot really describe the emotions that accompanied this news - excitement, pride, happiness, fear, anxiety, dread. Yes, that is a wide range, but as a parent of a motivationally challenged individual I have reason for concern.

I know this is a different time and comparing my son to myself at his age is like apples and kiwi, but seriously, by the time I was 14 I had three jobs. I wanted to have my own money and be independent. I babysat, had a paper route and worked at my church's bingo. I remember items that I bought myself that filled me with a sense of pride: my Debbie Gibson black hat, my first Walkman and a stylish turquoise winter coat with shoulder pads. I was employed and lookin' good. (A perm and braces capped off the look, of course.)

In my son's defense, only one of my previous jobs is currently available to him. Adults in cars drop off whatever papers are still being home delivered and most churches no longer have weekly bingo events. Babysitting may not be a good option either since boys don't have the same mother hen instinct as girls and my son once went half a day without getting himself something to drink.

This job opportunity is a chance to show us and the world that all hope is not lost. Can this member of Generation Z put down his tablet and phone and get the job done? I know his "employer" has set up very strict parameters for what he expects to be done. Have we instilled a work ethic in our son to rise to the occasion, make us proud and earn his pay? Seriously, I don't know. Personally, it doesn't look good. But every now and then my son surprises me.

I know it's only a grass cutting, but this has the potential to teach him some valuable lessons about having and keeping a job. And although the material goods of today don't spark as much motivation as the Dirty Dancing Soundtrack or Swatch Watch of the 80's, maybe something will light a fire inside him to want to do his best and experience the feeling of purchasing a coveted item with money he earned. Or maybe he will be satisfied with hearing the words "Good job kid" and the self-esteem boost that comes with being recognized for a job well done.

Stay tuned. This adventure starts soon.