Excuses

[Audrey]

I'm having quite a day today and yep it's only 7:30 a.m. LOL

Right now, I'm tired of excuses. Everyone seems to have an excuse for why they can't _______

Those in business don't return calls or emails
Those who were supposed to be somewhere show up late

We are all busy. We all have kids. We all have lives. If you can't do it, then don't tell me you can or will.

[Candid Carrie]

About twenty five (or more) years ago I worked for an engineering firm and one of the guys had this sign on his drawing board. 

It is hard to soar like an eagle when you are flying with turkeys. 

It is an oldie but a goodie and when I hear situations like this that saying almost always come to mind. 

I am sorry you are having a tough time right now. 

[Danielle]

  Audrey! but I am with you, don't tell me you are going to do@@@@ Na dnot follow through.. that is  so not being responsible for you actions.. I hate excuses.. If I can say I am going too, then I always follow through.. I cannot understand why people make excuses.. there is no EXCUSE for it!!

[Candid Carrie]

Alrght, I'll come clean.  There's been times I didn't want to really do something and made up an excuse.  But I TOTALLY found a substitute for my responsibility. 

There.  I feel a little bit better. 

[Audrey]

Carrie,

If you say no, that's FINE. It's saying yes and then not following through that drives me nuts.

Here's an example.....we have a commercial kitchen where I work. We've been working with a professional organizer to get the kitchen in shape. She and I were to meet after hours one day. Oops she forgot and stood me up. She now sent me an email with a reschedule and an "sorry I didn't get back to you soon, but _____"

This is just one example.

Online, I hired someone to do something. She had a ton of reasons why she couldn't do the job once I hired her. She never should've said yes in the first place.

[Candid Carrie]

It does seem like the work ethic for some folks has gone down the drain, doesn't it? 

Just analyzing it a bit further, I am always explaining to my kids that no matter what they are doing, there are people that are watching them.  (In a not creepy way). 

When they are at school and parents are coming and going, they could be impressed with your maturity level and remember your behavior when they are looking for a babysitter down the road.

Or, when parents are supervising on the playground perhaps they are also wondering if you are the type of child that they would welcome in their home for a playdate. 

Making beds, sweeping floors, following through with tasks at home are all simple ways to get kids ready for "bigger" responsibilities. 

Accountability went out the back door when feel good parenting came in the front. 

But that is just my take on it.  Any one?

[yayamommy]

My take is those who aren't accountable are simply .  Fear is a big trickster, so I'm not sure what they are so afraid of, but I guess if they are feel good parents, then they are avoid everything icky.

Work ethic is a hard one to teach, if you don't have one.  It's been our rule in my house that we can't expect our daughter to do (or have) anything we don't.  Everything is taught through example.
Poor kid    (No, seriously, we reallly do have a pretty good work ethic, so no worries-I think!)

Anyway, I too can't stand YES people when they really mean no.  Why are people so afraid to say no anyway?  If you can't help/do/work they what's the big deal? 
I think you get WAYYYY more respect when you know your own limits--and stop acting flaky!