Did your parents abuse the child labor laws?

Question

My parents woke us 4 up every morning about 6 am (in the summer when we had no school), had us out working on the "fish farm" for about 6 hours a day. We had to bag bait, box worms.... get this, they literally paid us a nickel a box/bag... we also had a list of chores that was to be completed on the weekends... mow the 8 acres, pick up the horse mess, dishes, laundry, etc... I have kids now 16 and 10 and they barely will unload the dishwasher without a huge fight... just wondering if anyone else had to work like this when they were kids...i think they had us for cheap labor....

Answer 1

No, but my husband's parents did. They had 7 children, none of which went to college, all of which left home as soon as possible! They all worked on their farm, and hated every minute of it.

Thankfully my husband decided to get his degree after we married. He still has issues about not having a childhood, and I encourage him to "play" often!

Answer 2

I hated doing chores, and I threw a fit. But I never expected my parents to buy me things once I turned 12. I went and earnd money whether it was babysitting or gardening ($3-5 an hour for about 2-5 hours every weekends and some weekdays) If I wanted something, I either waited for my birthday or Christmas or saved enough money.

Answer 3

Yep I worked all summer on the family farm and got paid next to nothing, and I'm proud of it. I did chores at night and was expected to keep grades up and be a part of extra cirricular activities. You know what so do my 6 and10 year old cousins. It is what makes us part of the family. It is what connected us to our communitty and it is what got me a full ride to college.

I worry about the kids that don't have that work ethic.

Answer 4

Maybe they did but ask yourself this: What have you learned about hard work, running a business, fish, AND parenting because of this? You can't change what they did, but instead of being bitter, try to utilize that experience as an adult in a positive way. My father was a nightmare (used to wake us up at 2 am to clean baseboards in the basement). When we got jobs he would take 75% of our checks not because of need, but to punish us. I realize he was mentally ill and he still is. Because of the way he treated us, I made sure I formed a very close, loving relationship with my daughter when I had her, and one in which I did not take advantage of her to do work that was unfair. I also made sure that I learned about psychology and how to change myself instead of others. I could have gone the other way and been just like him. My daughter worked all summer and I never took one dime from her for my own purposes.

Answer 5

Stick by your guns and put them to work. You say that you got paid thats good my was considered room and board. You put in long days for sure try from 04:00 to about 22:00 hours on a dairy farm

Answer 6

Hey I had to do things like that growing up, and truthfully It was the best thing my mom could do for us. Kids now don't know the true value of work. If they have to do the slightest type of chore its like omg. But heck like my mom always said what are children for. It teaches us value and work ethic.

Answer 7

not at a fish farm but when my grandfather or grandma need some help they will work us to the bone. but we got pay 1 a day or if we was lucky 5 only for their favor

Answer 8

Yep. Sure did, but it was in service of achieving a greater parental goal.

I'm also willing to bet that you appreciate material things and free time in a way that your kids cannot.

We need more folks with at least the mindset of your parents.

Answer 9

Turk Lee, Kinda sorta but it gave me a good work ethic as an adult !

Answer 10

I was specifically told by my dad that the only reason he had kids was so he would have free labor when ever he needed it. He sucks.