Young & Dignified

" It has nothing to do with my parent."


The 16 years-old, daughter of our good neighbor, who occasionally babysits my child, unexpectedly refused to accept money yesterday, explaining that she had been paid for little reason the last time Andrew was there. She was refreshing our memory dated a while ago when we had to suddenly take our kid back home only after an hour or so, because he was not feeling too well. The young teenager, who was desperately trying to make some extra cash outside of her own tight allowance, was actually convincing Ellen that somehow we had some credit to be used.

" But that was months ago", my wife stunned.

" I didn't earn it, though", she replied without a blink.

" But what would your parent think if I don't pay you?"

" But It has nothing to do with my parent. This is my job, not theirs."


I scolded Ellen for eventually giving into the teenager and came home not paying her. I was rather shamed altogether to witness the young girl's dignified manners, and the courtesy she displayed shed lights on how we adults became so tainted and morally selfish, looking after only for our own. I've met her parents today, and praised their daughter's good spirit, mentioning how well their children were raised. I've added to be wanting my child to become self-just, self-disciplined like her one day.

We will be paying her double the next time seeing her, only if that's ever enough. Probably, we're gonna have to use an envelop this time, because most likely, she will refuse it again.