It’s amazing how the most innocent questions can sometimes generative the most thought.
It happened this morning. My son and I had a lovely 15-minute conversation that started with a single question:
Momma, how can I make money so that I can buy things?
My first instinct (which I think is a rather natural one) was to give him the “you get a job” line. But then I paused, realizing that I don’t really want my children to believe this. I don’t want them to think that they only way they can make money is to “get a job.” It’s not what I’ve done as a professional and businesswoman and it’s certainly not what I expect my children to do.
So my answer to him was that you make money by giving people something they want. I even used the phrase “you provide value to people”. . . though I think that was a little too abstract for him. But I brought it back to his level and talked about what mommy and daddy do. Daddy is a conductor and administrator. He helps make sure the university runs smoothly and that students learn. Mommy is a music therapist. She helps people through music.
What I like about this perspective is that it not only resonates with my values, but it applies to most, if not all, situations. If you “have a job,” you are still providing value and are getting paid for it. If you run an online business, you are providing a valuable service or product and people of paying you for it. If you have an offline business, either service- or product-oriented, you are providing something of value and people are paying you for it.
And what of value does my 6-year-old son want to provide when he grows up?
Piano lessons 🙂
orcid.org/0000-0001-8665-1493
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I am a music major studying to be a music therapist. Today I am working on an assignment for my Music in Early Childhood class. Was looking for good websites for my assignment, and found you. 🙂
You are a wise mama to understand (and teach to your children) that a job isn’t just about having a job for money. If you love what you do, it isn’t a “JOB” anyhow. Have you ever seen the acronym Just Over Broke? I have been in sales, and that is where I learned that it is about providing value.
I look forward to reading more of your blog when it isn’t finals week….lol!
By the way, I am fifty years old and a freshman in college. It can be done! That’s encouragement for any of your older readers.
Thank you, Shelley, for sharing your expertise and for your support. Good luck with your schooling and hope to hear from you again here 🙂 ~Kimberly
I agree with Shelley…and you Kimberly. I had the ‘get a job’ mentality drummed into me as a child, and although in some respects it has value, I would have been much better off hearing the words of wisdom you have passed on to your son!
Yes…and the “get a job” idea is how it worked for a long, long time! Luckily (or not) we have other options now 🙂 ~Kimberly
I thought your reply to your kid asking how to make money … “ …by giving people something they want. You provide value to people.” and getting paid for it – is so true and so explicit it covers the whole spectrum of jobs including being a music therapist. Thanks for giving us this wonderful insight.
You must log in to post a comment.