Why it is good to work for things:

What is the worst thing you do to a child? Give them things without having them work for it. Why is that? You can never value something until you’ve worked for it.

And what is work anyways? It is an effort. And an active input from you.

For example, the greatest joy ever had in my life was buying my first car for $1000, with my own hard earned money. Why? The pride. The pride that me at 15 years old was able to buy an afford my own car. I had 0 ounces of jealousy for other kids in my high school who drove brand new cars which their parents bought. In fact, I felt superior to them, because I knew that I was a self-made man, rather than just giving handouts.

I’m never going to give Seneca an iPad or an iPhone

If one day Seneca wants something, I’m gonna tell him to get a job to get it. This way, he will understand that there is a connection between labor effort and getting something.

No Christmas presents, and no birthday presents.

If you think about Christmas presents, or birthday presents, it is a very bizarre notion. You’re giving something for having done nothing.

If anything, on your child’s birthday you should be celebrating the mother who gave birth to a child, rather than your child for simply existing. Also if you just give kids presents for nothing, it sets up a weird precedent.

But how do you show kids you care? Simple: spend time with them and take them on adventures. Time spent is the ultimate present.

Perhaps only the educated and elite parents can even harness this notion, which is not giving your kids presents.

But what if my kids want stuff?

The one thing I do believe is laptops. I will give Seneca a laptop as early as possible, teaching him how to write code and do active things and build and make things. Also teach him how to work a website, and how to blog.

One thing I will do is being very lavish with experiences. To spoil him silly with experiences, rather than stuff. Because no matter what the hobby or the interest he may have, most likely it will be fleeting.

Once again, investing in experiences, education, and learning, not physical things.