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Something for nothing

Last week (actually a few months ago now, but who's counting), after our first big snowstorm, Luke was instrumental in getting the driveway clean.  This was a good thing, since it was covered in about 2 inches of sleet and ice.  I went out and worked for half an hour to clear one track from where he left off to the street, so that after refreezing we might have enough traction to get out of the driveway.  Then I cleared the 1.5 foot pole in front of Michael's garage door so he could go to work the next day in his non-SUV car. It was a lot of work.

Then we had another snowstorm. At some point during the day Luke was going a little stir crazy, and I was so busy I knew I wouldn't have time to clear the driveway, so I sent him out to do it. Thinking of the hard work we had put in a few weeks before, I offered him $5, but only if he did a really good job and got the driveway all the way clean. I know it's below the minimum wage, but I figured Luke would be learning something, burning off energy and staying out of my way. I told myself I'd help when I could so he wouldn't get discouraged.

Luke ran outside and I turned to whatever other emergency was demanding my attention, probably laundry. I was anticipating a good long bit of quiet, but in a few minutes Luke appeared.  "It's all done, Mom!" "All the way done?" I responded skeptically.

We went outside to look. For some reason, instead of w inches of heavy snow and ice, this snow had almost completely melted off the driveway. Luke cleared the few remnants and declared himself done. Since there was no snow left on the driveway, I had to agree that the job was done.

I still paid him $5, because I had promised. Also, it seemed like my fault in part for not checking the size of the job before offering to pay. And when I suggested that Luke go out and shovel he had jumped up and gone willingly-I had offered to pay him because I wanted to encourage him to finish the job, not because he shouted any reluctance to start.

But next snowstorm I'll check the depth of the snow before offering any reward for (not) shoveling. :-)

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