We all know how kids will push parents until they learn their limitations. Their actions toward grandparents are no different. After all, as grandparents who were once in their shoes, we still recall how their minds work.
Whenever our kids succeeded, they were lauded. They may have claimed they did it for self-esteem, but let's not kid each other. Deep down, they really sought our approval. Whenever they did something wrong, and they knew they'd done wrong, we'd express a look of disappointment. Achieving a lofty goal won our praise.
After the grandchildren started school, I inquired as to how they were doing. In some cases their interest was adequate but certainly not above par. With some, grades of 'Cs' and a few 'Bs' were common. An 'A' was sometimes noted but not that often and I wondered how I could help.
Then I recalled when some were younger - two, three and four years old - I'd give then a shiny new penny for being good. So proud of the penny, they'd hide it in their pockets and only show it to those they trusted. Even though it was I who gave them the pennies, I'd struggle getting them to show me all their newly acquired loot. They'd put their money in a bank at home and, with the help of an older person, count it. I've never known kids to have such a penchant for shiny pennies. They were like pirates hoarding their booty.
Eventually, they realized nickels, dimes and quarters were worth more than pennies and soon my cheap payoffs swiftly came to a halt. "But this is five shiny new pennies," I'd say. "Wouldn't you rather have these than one old, ugly, dirty dime?"
"Uh uh, grandpa. That dime is worth more than the five pennies, "they'd answer. "My friend told me so." And so, inflation swiftly hit.
When report cards arrived with average grades, I went into action. By now they were fully aware of paper money so I knew I'd better make this a good one.
"Do you think you can bring this 'C' up to a 'B'?" I'd ask whenever they'd show me their report cards.
They'd shrug and answer something like, "That's hard, grandpa, and our teacher even gives us homework."
"Hmm! That bad?" I’d comment. "Well, I’ll tell you what grandpa will do. For every 'A' you bring home on your report card, you'll get one dollar. That means if you bring home five 'As' you'll receive five dollars." I never saw kids' eyes get so big so fast.
Understand, folks, this started when they were in their early years of elementary school, so at that age, a dollar was big money.
On the next report card, two 'As' were showing. With the following reporting period, their three 'As' and two 'Bs' convinced me they were on the right track. By the end of the first year their report card averaged only 'As' and 'Bs' while I feared I was headed for the poorhouse.
One granddaughter is now entering the eighth grade, another the seventh and a grandson is entering the fourth. Solid 'As' are the grades of the one entering seventh. The other two haven't received their final scores yet but from reliable sources, they, too, have grades that would make any grandparent proud.
Telling this story to a few acquaintances some months ago, I was immediately taken aback when they accused me of "bribing my grandkids."
"On the contrary," I quickly replied in an attempt to set the record straight. "Education isn't cheap. A good education is an investment. There's no other way to view it. If all it costs to motivate them, and achieve good grades that will follow throughout their scholastic careers, are a few measly dollars that any grandpa would be more than happy to pay, I'm getting a phenomenal bargain," I answered.
As for ruining a child? Never! I once asked my grandson if he'd like to earn money helping me wash the car. "I'll be happy to pay you," I offered.
"You don't have to pay me, grandpa," he immediately answered. "I'll be glad to help."
Last week the eighth grader mentioned how she's planning on becoming a therapist once she enters college. And as I sat there and listened, I thought how interesting it was that she raised the issue of going to college.
When I asked the other two what their plans were for the future, the one answered, "Grandpa, I'm still too young to worry about that."
The youngest, my grandson, looked at me quizzically and, just like a guy, quickly left for the lake on his bike to fish. After all, it was the first weekend of summer vacation. College could wait.
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