Sometimes I feel bad that Jenna does not have any siblings. I wonder if she'll ever even know that she's missing out on sibling rivalry or the love of siblings covering up for each other. Looking further (way further) down the line, what happens every other Thanksgiving when she has to go to her spouse's family's house? Will Jason and I be lonely? My mom suggested we save up for a cruise on those years. I have a great mom :)
Anyway, this weekend, I got to get a glimpse as to why one isn't always the loneliest number (you're welcome for getting that song stuck in your head). Jason and I decided on starting Jenna on an allowance, and as an "only child" we don't have to even out what we give her with other children. Jenna has the opportunity to earn $5/week. Here's her chore list:
$1 - clean room
(this was her room before allowance started)
$1 - clean play room (because we don't need another bedroom)
$1 - clean bathroom (she gets her own bathroom)
$1 - cleaning out the dishwasher
$1 - not pretending to be sick and obeying us
She gives 10% to tithing and then 10% to savings, then she has the extra $4 to do with as she wishes.
It was so much fun to go to Walmart this weekend with her and have her ask us how many weeks it would take for her to buy something. And, yup, made me feel like a stellar parent. She also went out to eat at her choice of restaurant, Golden Corral. I'm not a big fan of anything there but their rolls and desert bar. Jenna tried steak! And she actually liked it! Proud mom moment - she's such a picky eater.
Jenna was concerned because she was going roller skating with my family on Saturday and she can't skate very well. She had used her friend's scooter the last time she went skating, but she didn't have her own. Jason and I talked and decided to take her to get one. We checked the DI first, but they didn't have any, so we decided to take her to Walmart to get her own. Jason and I were talking about how in our families each sibling would've had to of been compensated for 1 getting something...with Jenna, that's not a problem.
Sure, we're worried about "only-child syndrome" and if she'll be able to deal with sibling squabbles of her future spouse. We hope to help her become a well-rounded child who will be able to handle not being the "one and only". I still wonder when I'm teaching if the way my student's act is based on the number (or lack thereof) of siblings has something to do with it. Jason has 2 brothers, I have 2 brothers and 2 sisters, and Jenna has neither - yet we all seem to be coping.
We are blessed to have her and as we get ready to enter her birthday month, I am so lucky to be blessed with such a beautiful, smart, and giving daughter. She's more than any mom could ever ask for
Michelle
