"Always an Adventure"- Getting the bare minimum when giving the bare minimum

As a parent, it is important to me that my children maintain high grades because I know they are capable of it – even when it requires hard work. No, I’m not trying to raise a bunch of overachievers, but I’ve encouraged them always to do their best. If they need it, we can help them, but if they don’t give their best at all times, then there are consequences.

My son got inducted into the National Elementary Honor Society. We also found out homeboy wasn’t turning in some of his work. The pride of seeing his hard work be honored was incredible, but I was also upset because he wasn’t doing his best. That’s the minimum that I require.

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I wanted to yell and fuss and say how disappointed I was, but instead, I quietly took everything but his bed out of his room and put it in our closet. I didn’t have to say a word – he already knew. He turned in the missing work, was willing to do his chores and his sister's chores, maintained his homework and his grades, and changed things around. He also learned that while we were proud of him for his accomplishments, when he gives the bare minimum, he gets the bare minimum.

Parenting isn’t always rainbows and butterflies, but I’m thankful for the adventures and the lessons learned along the way. Hard work pays off.

Nakeshia Shannon is a photographer and mother of three. Visit her online at NakeshiaRenee.com.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: "Always an Adventure"- Getting bare minimum when giving bare minimum