As I have mentioned before my dad was a very strict parent. Whatever he said we did, no questions or backtalk. Since we lived on a military base there was always money to be made mowing grass or babysitting. I saw how many jobs my sister got doing both so I could not wait until I was 10 years old so I could also make money.
So I finally turned 10 and was able to mow grass and make money. I came home from my first “job” with $20, I got through the front door and proudly told my dad how much I made. He put his hand out and said that I had to give him half. WHAT??? I did not understand. I made that money. My dad went on to explain that it was his mower and gas that I was using so I would have to “pay” him half for maintenance and gas. I huffed and puffed as I handed over the money but said nothing because I knew it would get me nowhere.
I began to get more mowing jobs and then babysitting jobs when I turned 13. I knew as soon as I walked through the door from a “job” that I would just give my dad half. My dad’s reason for half of my babysitting money was he or my mom had to drive me there and back so it covered gas money. I continued the routine of giving my dad half of my money until after my parents divorced. Never questioned it or complained about it.
When I graduated high school my dad handed me an envelope with about $3600.00 I was a little puzzled. I did not think it was graduation money since I was going in the Army. My dad went on to refresh my memory about all my mowing and babysitting money that I gave my dad half of. Instead of it being maintenance and gas money. My dad had put that money into a saving account and handed it to me when I graduated. I was able to see my dad in a different light. I realized that by my dad “taking” half of my money he had my best interest at heart. Because I would have just blown all the money instead of just half of it. It was nice to get that unexpected gift and have money in my bank account after I got to my first duty station to buy needed items for my dorm room and self. Thanks Daddy for my unexpected gift and valuable life lessons. Take Care Much Love
