A discussion about business ethics, character traits, integrity, and values

My friend Dan celebrates his 50th birthday and 30th wedding anniversary this year. His children threw a surprise party for him and their mother, and invited family and friends to party with them. About 100 people showed up for one of those perfect occasions. That and excellent catering made the trip worth it.

I’ve realized as a parent – and it applies to employer/employee relations – that children don’t owe us anything. You hear parents say "I carried you for nine months," or "I’ve clothed and fed you for 28 years," or "you do what I say because I’m the dad." But we do all those parenting things for ourselves, not for them. Having and raising children, spending time and money on kids, was our decision, not their decision.

I do for my children because I want to, not because I want them indebted to me. If I buy them something, they owe me nothing. If I give them rides, they don’t owe me. If they stay out too late and I wait up, that’s what I want to do. They owe me nothing.

Which makes what Dan’s children did for him that much more precious.