During that time, Will enjoyed a full week of camp, went to Boston to visit his aunt and uncle- saw an amazing show, Eill was sick during the show and handled it all beautifully. Then we transitioned into Middle School which went better than I could have dreamed, including going to a leadership camp with his 6th grade class and staying the whole time. 4 days and 3 nights. I think this needs to be repeated...he stayed the ENTIRE time!!! Oh how my boy has grown. That's not to say that we haven't had our harder times because we have. I just choose to dwell on the positive. I need a lot of positive right now.
Anyway, to get back to the title...I find that everywhere I turn I am surrounded by people who are happy to live with the "not my problem" "not my job" attitude. It seems as if people feel a sense of entitlement that someone else will deal with the things that are less appealing or need to take a little extra effort. I see this mostly at work, a clients hair tie is on the floor, staff walk by it. Food gets dropped on the floor, someone will get it- I have other things to do.
But it isn't just at work, I see it out in the community and I even see it in my own home. Now, I'm not saying I'm perfect... there are days I don't pick up everything. I may take a shortcut or two- not sweep, dust or load the dishwasher everyday, but ultimately I'm the one who has to finish the job whenever I get around to it. However, when I'm at work, others are watching Will at my house. They are teaching my son that it's ok to leave everything or somethings for 'someone else' (that someone else is inevitably me by the way).
My parents taught me that a job worth doing is worth doing well and to the best of my ability. Whether that is sweeping and mopping the floor at work, cooking and cleaning, or cleaning out a room or garage. It would never occur to me to do a half-hearted job. It would never occur to me to look at the job in hand and say to myself "ok, so that piece or dirt/trash/recyclable/item isn't mine so I refuse to do anything about it.
It blows me away when people have a lazy attitude about these things. My biggest worry is that my son is going to learn by example that picking up after himself, homework, etc....whatever the case may be doesn't deserve his best effort. That someone will always be coming along behind him picking up the pieces.
So, when someone is supposed to clean out the garage but refuses one piece of cardboard because it isn't their problem...I'm not going to pick a fight over it, but it does make me sad that my son isn't seeing someone put forth their best effort. I will throw away the cardboard, after all, it's only cardboard....
I can only hope that Will sees that there are those of us who are willing to work hard and do the whole job. Even if it's "not my problem", because really, we all live on this planet together and shouldn't we all be willing to help each other? Support each other? Lift each other up when we are struggling and need help? Just a thought.....
Emily, I agree with you whole hearted as this is the way your Dad & I were brought up and we passed along this work ethic on to you & Josh. If you are going to do something, give it 100% and with a positive attitude. I'm sure you remember our comments to you & Josh about attitude being as important as getting the job done ... this applied across the board whether it be work related, a project in the community, a favor for a friend/neighbor, or in our own home. Having a son with a disability does not give him a free pass on learning about giving everything 100% of his time and attitude ... if anything, he needs MORE positive reinforcement and examples set by others so he will grow up to be a responsible adult. It should not be "our" responsibility to police others in this regard whoever they might be. Every child needs consistent positive reinforcement, but especially one who has a disability -- if the example is not there, they can't expect to have a good work ethic. You are such a good Mom and I'm proud you want to instill these life lessons and work ethic in your son and recognize the importance of doing so. In a way I take it as a compliment that you took to the lessons we tried to pass on in words, but especially by example. High five!!!
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