Dear Mai,
So I've been thinking a lot on this whole parenting thing and how Mommy and I are doing. In general I like the fact that we get out and do a lot of things with you but I worry we're giving you the easy road. I worry you won't ever understand the value of a dollar. Let me esplain.
I didn't exactly grow up poor but I didn't grow up "well to do" by any stretch. I think Grandma and Grandpa did their best to shelter me from the real world and how "adult" expenses work. BUT... I knew nothing was for free. If I wanted something I had to work for it. In fact I had my first paper route when I was 12 years old. I worked my butt off trying to be the best paperboy I could be and earn money for my self. In fact I was Toledo Blade's "Carrier of the week" in like 1985 or something like that.
I inherited my work ethic from Grandpa. If I thought I worked hard, he worked harder, exponentially.. and he grew up poor. I'm not going to do this story justice but when he was young and living in Detroit he thought he had reached rock bottom and there was nothing else to do but give up. He didn't have a cent to his name and was terribly sad and depressed. He went to church and as he walked out after praying he found 3 dollars on the church stairs. That was a blessing for Grandpa Castaneda and gave him just enough will to continue forward. Very shortly after that he met his wife to be, Grandma. The rest is history as they say. You could say those 3 dollars saved his life.
Now, while I have a good work ethic, my view on the dollar is probably skewed. As I said, I've been working hard my whole life, ever since my early paperboy days but... I've always been pretty frivolous when it comes to money. In fact, even when I was a paperboy and I intended to save all my money for "productive" things what did I spend most of my money on? Gauntlet. The first version of that 4 person arcade game at the local 7-11. While I worked hard and made money, I spent it just as quick. Not much has changed 30 years later.
So that brings us to tonight. I tell you a Mija story almost every night. Initially Mija stories were intended to tell you more stories about Grandpa so you could know who he was while you grew up. They've turned into a vehicle for me giving your "life lessons." Mija, in the context of our stories, is a little girl who lives with her Mommy and Daddy in Seattle. The rest of her extended family lives in Ohio. Mija is NOT to be confused with Maya because you are not Mija. I've been scolded on this matter a few times.
Anywho, I use Mija to start easing in ideas for you and so far it has worked pretty well. For example, you had your first Dentist appointment a few months back. You were nervous and didn't know what to expect so I told you stories about Mija and what she experienced at the dentist office. By the time your appointment arrived you knew just what to expect and you were perfect. You were so perfect the entire staff made a big fuss about you and said you were their best patient ever! They want to include some of your pictures on their website too!
So tonight I wanted to tell you a story about how you have to work hard to get things you want. So Mija wanted a new toy called "foo foo fly bye." Daddy told her it was too expensive. It was $20 and if Mija wanted it she would have to do chores and earn her own money. Mija did chores for about 2 weeks until finally she had earned $20. She was able to bye "foo foo fly bye" all by herself!
I could feel you staring at me the entire time I was telling you this story.
Maya: "Daddy?"
Daddy: "Yes sweet pea?"
Maya: "I want a foo foo fly bye toy. What is it?"
Daddy: (laughing) "Foo foo fly bye is just some made up toy Mija wanted."
Maya: "I want that."
Maya: "Daddy?"
Daddy: "Yes bug?"
Maya: "What is after sleepy?"
Daddy: "School. First thing in the morning."
Maya: "aw. Can I do all kinds of chores for Mommy and get $20 so I can bye foo foo fly bye?"
Daddy: "It takes a long time and a lot of chores to earn $20, you can't do that in one night!"
Maya: "Yes I can!"
Maya: "Oh look. I can do a chore now!"
Maya: (Proceeds to move a toy card/picture on your nightstand upright)
Maya: "THERE! I did a chore! Give me a dollar"
Daddy: (Stunned and shocked) "Um... that isn't a real chore and I'm not giving you a dollar for that."
Maya: "Aw man! I'm going to do all kinds of chores for Ms. Vini (daycare teacher) tomorrow and she'll give me $20!"
Daddy: "Um... I don't think that is how that works. Just go to bed and talk to Mommy about chores and earning $$$ tomorrow, okay?"
Maya: "Okay!"
Daddy: (Dodged that bullet! - Phew!)
We'll see how we progress Mai. Hopefully by the time you are reading this you will have had 2 programming assignments that earned money and you understand the value of the dollar. Until then, I'll *try* to not give into your tiny terrorist demands. I'm only human though so deal with it.
Much love,
Daddy