Entitlement Issues

If there is one thing that rubs me the wrong way, it's people with entitlement issues. I won't name names, but there are those who are near and dear to me, and those who I just see on the evening news, who have some serious entitlement issues! They think that because of such-and-such they are entitled to behave a certain way (or should I say MISbehave) or to have certain things just handed to them.

SO, there's been a running theme lately here. You know, when you think about something and then it seems to pop up again and again - in conversation, on TV, on the radio. That running theme is ME trying to prevent MY kids from ending up with entitlement issues.

Ever-so-insidiously, I've started to twist the way I get things done around here. I've decided that there are FAR too many rewards going on in this house and not enough work. DON'T GET ME WRONG!! It's not that I don't adore my kids and WANT to bow to their every little whim. Oh, my mother's heart LONGS to answer every adorable bat of the eyelashes with whatever their hearts desire... but it just ain't workin' out. And I KNOW that the best and healthiest thing for them is to NOT do this. They will be better, more likable people, if they know the extras in life are EARNED.

My goal for this week is to make up two lists and post them someplace conspicuous. One list will read "RIGHTS" and the other "PRIVILEGES". On the "RIGHTS" list I will put things that I absolutely would not withhold from them for any reason - things like regular healthy meals, properly fitting clothing, a roof over their heads, etc. You know - things that I feel my children *are* entitled to. Under "PRIVILEGES" I will list things that must be EARNED by keeping up their end of the bargain - by keeping their rooms clean, helping (without whining) with chores, etc. These will be things such as watching TV/movies, listening to the radio/MP3 players, using the computer, playing with friends. Things that they are NOT entitled to - but that they are privileged to do. I want them to know that certain things in life are earned.

This might sound silly to some of you. I know that many of you are GREAT managers of your homes - but I am lacking in that department lately. I have lived much of my life under heavy layers of guilt (especially parenting guilt) for various reasons and it's time to shake those layers OFF!! I want my children to see that they are team members in this happy, crazy family.

So, any ideas for either list would be great!!