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When my oldest was little, we struggled a lot with money. There were times when to eat, we had to steal from grocery stores. Even then, he got to eat and I didn't. Clothes came from hand me downs or trash bins. I went two years without a pair of shoes. Frozen ground, or ho melting pavement didn't bother my feet once I got used to it. Life was hard, but it taught my son an appreciation for things most kids don't appreciate.

We coddled and protected my daughter from it as much as we could. She doesn't remember much of our 'broke but not broken' days. As things got better, both of the kids started getting more of what they needed and some of what they wanted. I fear I may have spoiled them.

Two weeks ago, my son neglected to put his brand new cell phone (christmas gift) in his locker at school. It got stolen during soccer practice. (He's only allowed to use it to call us anyway, so should have had it put away.)

My darling daughter got herself nice and sick right before Christmas break. She just absolutely refused to wear her coat. I don't blame her honestly. It's big, bulky and ugly. So for Christmas, we spent a nice penny finding a coat that she'd like, hunting down the store that had it in the right size, and buying it. We made it very clear that it needed to get hung up in her bedroom each day and not left out where the dogs would eat it.

She left it out where the dogs would eat it. Guess what? They ate her nice suede coat. Yes. Suide. With a faux fur lining. This thing was gorgeous and she looked great in it.

To say that I was mad is an understatement. Pie cried, and kept telling me how sorry she was, but sorry just doesn't fix it.

Over the past two weeks, my dogs have either been chained up (which I hate doing to them) or they've gotten out every single day. One day, they got out three times. Another day, we got in the car to catch up with them. They got miles down the road. Another day, they were gone for over three hours!

Since both my son and my daughter seem to not have the ability to appreciate and be responsible for their belongings, they got to help take down the old fence, and put up a new one. Next week, they get to mow the field. Part of me feels as though I'm being harsh, but at the same time, part of me feels as though I should have done this a long time ago.

I live on two acres of farm land. There is no reason why they can't be working the land, and learning a bit of responsibility and appreciation. Maybe then, they won't be so quick to lose track of their belongings if they have to work for them.

Fence looks great so far though. By the end of tomorrow, those dogs will not get out again. If they are dumb enough to do so, then it's kennel time. I'd really hate to put them in kennels outside though.