The Amish’s work ethic is one of their traits I admire the most. Very rarely are Amish hands idle, especially those living and working on farms or running small businesses. Not that I believe a person’s day must be inundated with activity. In fact, it seems some English (non-Amish) children have too many undertakings, what with their back-to-back sports teams and mountains of homework. No time to do their chores or spend time with family.
I read a super book when rearing our sons called Raising Self-reliant Children in a Self-indulgent World. Author, Jane Nelson, stressed the importance of being a productive member of a family or society. For instance, if a child on a farm forgets to feed the chickens or milk a cow, the child’s action or lack of it is of major consequence. According to the author, not much depends on today’s English children. So how do they develop a sense of self-worth?
What got me thinking about this topic? Mowing with our push-mower, which needs its blades sharpened. I’ve been asked why I continue to mow our small patch of grass, and tell people that I prefer it over working out in a gym. I’m breathing in fresh air and saving money. But the bottom line is I enjoy physical labor-every now and then. Could I keep up with the Amish? I doubt it.
This is hearsay, but it’s been reported most Amish women are stuck using old-fashioned push mowers rather than being able to benefit from the kind of impressive machines on this Buyers Guide, which most of us would use if we needed one. Some of them have voiced their opinion, that if men were doing the mowing and weeding they’d be allowed to use fuel driven mowers and weed-whackers. Not fair? Food for thought.
Any of you remember Maynard G. Krebs‘ famous one-word line from the oldie 60s sitcom the “Many Loves of Dobie Gillis?” Whenever Dobie’s sidekick/buddy Maynard heard the word work, Maynard had a knee-jerk reaction and yelped, “Work!” Why? Because he wanted no part of it. Proving an abhorrence to work is not a new phenomenon for many English (non-Amish) teenagers. Adults too.
How about you? Are there chores that seem like drudgery, yet must be done? Or perhaps you have a favorite. Leave me a comment and enter to win this cute Amish-made tea towel from Lancaster County! USA & Canada. Winner has one week to respond.
Congratulations to Valerie, last week’s winner of a signed copy of Leaving Lancaster or Pennsylvania Patchwork!
To be Released June 1, 2014
I admire the Amish. The “English” could benefit from their work ethics. I love to cook/ bake . Would love to have a garden & learn how to can
Thanks for writing, Rita! Yummy, you like to bake. I’d love to have a real garden too. Good luck in the contest.
I really admire the Amish work ethic, there should be more of it in this world! I’m not a big fan of cooking but I do it for my husband because it makes him happy. I’d much rather clean house, I get a lot of satisfaction from seeing everything clean and shining. I love to work in my garden too.
You’re a sweet wife, Kathi! I think my husband would be happier if I cooked more. How great that you like a shiny, clean house, and gardening too! Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
I love working in my garden, be it the veggie garden or my flower beds. I don’t mind it all, except when its very hot and humid, as I can’t take the heat very well. I have never been one to jump on the latest and greatest appliance or whatever. I like doing things by hand. I’m an old~fashioned girl.
Old-fashioned girls are the best, Melissa! There’s something about working one’s hands in the soil that is rejuvenating and relaxing, even if it’s considered labor to those who don’t enjoy gardening. Not to mention your other rewards: vegetables and flowers. Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
Would love to win the tea towel it’s so cute. Thanks for doing this.
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Pat! Good luck!
I have a disabling disease that keeps me in constant pain so all chores are agony but i get them done. I try to work thru the pain. i dont ask anyone to do something i know i can do myself
Carol, I too deal with chronic pain on a daily basis and I know how hard it can be. The best I have found to do is to do each task with love and gratitude that God has enabled me to do just that much! I also try to pray for the ones that will benefit from the clean house, folded laundry, cooked meals, etc. as I am doing the work. I take my time, sometimes I take frequent breaks and by the time I am done, I’m ready for a date with the heating pad, but feeling truly blessed! ~
Kate, I would love to win this lovely tea towel. Please enter me in the contest! Thank you!
You sound like such a kindhearted and empathetic woman, Colleen. I’m sorry you have to deal with pain as you proceed through the tasks of your day in a most gracious and loving way. Thanks for entering the contest and good luck!
I pray your pain eases, Carol. You sound brave and without self pity. Still, may I tell you how sorry I am you must endure this disease. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Would love to win the tea towel and can’t wait for Forever Amish to be available.
The tea towel is awesome
Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the contest, Frances! Good luck!
You’re entered in the contest, Juanita! Thanks for your encouragement with Forever Amish!
All I know is that the Amish work very hard to keep a clean house, they could great food & love the Lord, I am on the other hand could learn from them, especially my Amish aunt who I would love to go stay with ..
An Amish aunt, Cubie? A visit to her sounds wonderful. I used to visit my aunt often, way across the country, and she was very dear to me. Thanks for entering the giveaway. Good luck!
Since I’m older I don’t mow any more . When I was in my teens dad had me mowing with a old time push mower like you have . I really didn’t like it much mowing the banks , pushing up them was hard . Even power mowers are hard pushing up our banks so now we have a self propelled mower . I really enjoyed mowing when I was in my 50s but no more .
I wish I had the get up & go many Amish seem to have . All the baking , cooking & gardening . But I’m doing pretty good at my age ( ? ) won’t say how old LOL .
Enjoy reading your books & Blog .
Thanks for writing, Mary! After all our recent rain, I’m not sure I’ll be mowing today either. The Amish do seem to possess a get up and go we don’t, but they also struggle with illness too. Thanks for your encouraging words and good luck in the contest!
I would love to win this tea towel. I knit baby bonnets for our local hospital and am currently working on a baby blanket.
How delightful that you knit baby bonnets for your local hospital, Pauline! May each baby wearing one be blessed. Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
Good morning, I do not like doing dishes and though we have a DW there are still some that have to be done by hand.. I would like to have this pretty towel hanging in my kitchen. thanks for sharing.
Thanks for writing, Paula. I’m afraid I’m not a happy homemaker when it comes to dishes either. But I do like cute towels! Thanks for entering the giveaway. Good luck!
I really hope I can win this tea towel, Kate, as it would go wonderfully with my favorite chore – washing dishes! I enjoy working hard, and as my dad has always taught me “what you put into it is what you get out of it”. I truly admire the Amish work ethic, as I always put 100% into everything I do. God bless you Kate, and thank you for your giveaway!
Hi, Mallory! Your father spoke wise and true words. And what a great daughter he has if she likes to wash dishes. Thanks for entering the contest and good luck!
Oh I so would love to win this towel! I love to do my daily chores! For my family as well as The Lord! I recently went through a back surgery and found out what it’s like to not be able to get things done! Including baking! And I love to bake! Thank God he is restoring me and I am doing more each day! Blessings, Lissa
May your back be restored soon, Lissa! It’s amazing how difficult working in the kitchen is when your back, arm, or hand is out of commission. Thanks for entering the contest! Good luck!
When I was young, my dad put us to work on the farm, driving truck in harvest, moving farm animals from one pasture to another, feeding and watering them, whatever needed to be done to help out. It was good training. Our sons had paper routes (too bad those have gone the way of the dinosaur) and other jobs as soon as they were old enough. I believe children should have jobs, not just chores.
A working farm could keep every member of a family busy, Judy. I bet you have a treasure trove of stories to tell. What a great way to grow up! Yes, I miss our paperboys too. How great that your sons had that responsibility! Thanks for writing!
I think the Amish have a good work ethic. They have set times, days and desinated chores for everyone in the home. It teaches children from a small age how hard yet rewarding it is in every day life. It also teaches them to work and spend time with family.
In my house we share chores and work together. My children will know how to run a home when they move out as adults..
I don’t mind house work or yard work. However laundry is my least favorite.
The tea towel is beautiful and would be a nice addition to my daughters hope chest.
I love that you teach your children such good work ethics, which they will use their whole lives, Joannah. When I left home as a young adult I’d learned almost everything I needed to know from my parents. Thanks for entering the contest and good luck!
I would love to win this towel! I am looking forward to reading Forever Amish soon!
Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the contest, Rachel! Can’t wait for you to read Forever Amish!
I dread housecleaning plus I live a busy life.
I look at it this way housecleaning will always be here but people are not.
Love the tea towel by the way.
So true, Tina, we should appreciate the people in our life above busyness. Too bad housecleaning sneaks back up on us all too soon and then we’re stuck tackling it. Thanks for entering the contest and good luck!
I love this post.I have been struggling lately with housework and yard work.I have just been having a down time in my life and just don’t feel well.Maybe I need to regroup and keep busy and get back on a schedule.At least it may help my mood and keep my mind off of things.I love cleaning out and sorting through things.The tea towel is beautiful.Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for your comment, Jackie. I hope you can get on an uplifting schedule again soon. I’m impressed that you love cleaning. Our near-constant rain has kept me in the house too much. Working outside and walking seems to elevate my mood and keep my mind from spinning back to the past and all that is out of my control. Good luck in the contest!
I love this tea towel and would love to win it.
I don’t know that I find chores to be a drudgery, as much as I find them time consuming. I work five days a week and things like laundry have to be done. It leaves little time to do the things that I want to do. Thank goodness for my Kindle and the one hour that I spend reading Amish fiction on my lunch time at work every day.
You sound like a busy woman, Karen! I’m glad you have time to read at lunch, a perfect way to relax. Thanks for entering the contest and good luck!
love the towel. beautiful
Glad you like the towel, Valerie! Good luck in the contest!
The Amish are very hard working and have values. They live a very simple life.
The Amish do all with love. They are strong loving people. It shiws in all they do.
They are a remarkable people, Deb. Thanks for writing and entering the contest. Good luck!
Thanks for writing and entering the contest, Phyllis! The Amish have much to be admired, indeed. Good luck!
By his example, my dad taught my brother and me a strong work ethic. Show up for work 15 minutes early and stay 15 minutes late, off the clock. That attitude goes a long ways in getting noticed by a boss when it comes time for promotions or a raise.
At home I can’t stand to dust, but still enjoy doing dishes by hand at the kitchen window that looks out over my backyard garden. It’s a good time to slow down and talk to Jesus.
Great attitude, Kathleen, that needs to be passed on to the next generation! Thanks for writing!