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Teaching Against Entitlement

Whose responsibility is it that you are happy?

…healthy?

…educated?

…have friends?

…have money?

We live in a culture that has slid ever so gradually year-by-year into an entitlement mentality.  Even if you know better, it sneaks up on you. Try signing up for college…you’ll be bombarded with “get-it-free-from-the-government” programs. It seems no one realizes anymore that it is noble to pay for things you want with the money you earned!

I have a chart that hangs on a wall in my home:

It is my responsibility to create a meaningful life that I enjoy:

Spiritually

Physically

Socially

Mentally

Financially

Family Relationship-wise

From time to time, I print off copies of this chart to use as a goal brainstorm worksheet for a family meeting: “just choose one thing in each category that you want to do to improve your life and happiness”.  Thinking about how to make your own life better in each area helps reinforce the realization that “if it’s going to be, it’s up to me!” Which is the opposite of entitlement.

Freedom entails responsibility.  Each entitlement freebie we allow into our life costs us a little freedom. I think it is good training for kids to hear from their parents that there is no free lunch—that we should work for what we get. That is what it means to be a responsible adult in a free nation. Our happiness is our own responsibility.

Comments on this entry are closed.

  • Robin Steinweg June 2, 2014, 8:14 am

    Great post, Diane! A good work ethic is important–but what a good idea to have that more varied list visible.

  • Kristie Carlson June 26, 2014, 4:58 pm

    I really love this post! Thanks for sharing!

  • Jean July 26, 2014, 9:03 pm

    This is a wonderful article. I want to print it and share with my children. Thank you!