Year End Bonus - For Kids

We were on our way back from lunch yesterday when we talked about the ups and downs of being a manager.

"Managing people is no walk in the park," I said. "Not only do you have to report to your bosses, you have to be very concerned about how your subordinates are performing. It's like an egg sandwich. The manager is the egg. Beatened, squashed from both ends and if you are lucky, they spread you with butter and mayo."
Ivy, however, had a different viewpoint, "I believe that being a manager is a preparation for parenthood."

My bro and I looked at her in surprise. That was the first time we heard someone viewing it quite that way.

"I hope you don't mean that as parents, we are to manage our children like company's resources!" bro said.

"Why not?" I chipped in. "The children should take part in household duties. As their manager, the parents will delegate duties to each child fairly and squarely."

We warmed up to the topic considerably and got a little carried away and tossed questions to one another. Don't you just love it when these things happen during conversations with zany-minded folks?

"What about quarterly appraisals?"

"What about their year end bonus?"

"Easy," I said with mock authority. "Do you guys realise that Christmas presents a perfect opportunity for a year-end appraisal for kids. If they have been good, they receive their year end bonus in the form of gifts or cash in kind. If they have been bad, well, give them half a month's bonus or none at all."

Jokes aside, Ivy's view may have some valid points. Although it can't be denied that while some people excel as managers and managing directors of their company, they may very well fail as a parent.

I may be wrong, but I think that at the end of the day, more important that any management skills a parent can amass, all they need is an open and teachable heart, and love.

Hey, I want my year end bonus!