Should I force my 14-year-old son to work even if he doesn’t feel comfortable?

Question:

Should I force my 14-year-old son to work even if he doesn't feel comfortable?

Answer:

Oh, the poor thing! It is so hard to be motivated when you don't feel like working, isn't it? Why don't you set him a great example: when the alarm clock rings tomorrow morning, instead of dragging yourself out of bed and off to work, just call your boss and tell him you aren't comfortable with coming in today?

I hope you understand the point. Work and chores about the home have nothing to do with personal comfort. There are things that must be done regardless of whether you feel like doing them. "For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; nor did we eat anyone's bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat" (II Thessalonians 3:7-10).

Your job as a parent is not to please the whims of your son. You are there to prepare him for life as an adult. So get busy instilling good habits in him that will last him the rest of his life. Don't wait until you feel comfortable about it.