Priceless
March 13, 2008 | Filed under Family & Friends
My parents have recently started the cleaning business that I spoke of so long ago. It really should have happened when we moved, but well, other factors got in the way. Six months after the move, when the new house is finally starting to really feel like a home, they’ve finally given up the take-away shop and embarked on a new stage of their life, where they can finally sit down and put their feet up.
It’ll come as no surprise to those who have worked in the customer service or hospitality industry, that it is tough work. It’s hard on your feet, your back, your hands. It’s hard on your whole body – and when you have a small family-run take-away shop, it is literally about eleven hours work each day, non-stop. My parents worked eleven hours a day, six days a week, for sixteen years. That’s about a lifetime’s worth of work for an average person.
They’re currently doing a bit of domestic cleaning to keep the cash flowing over the next few months while they just take a breather. Cleaning approximately six houses on a once-a-fortnight basis, they’re getting about $400AUD between them every two weeks. My mother’s also doing a bit of ironing for people as well, which she enjoys as she can watch Chinese television while doing it (approx 10 hours a week), which brings in an additional hundred dollars or so. Combined, it’s more than enough for our family use (where else do you think I learnt my thriftiness from?), with quite a bit left over as well.
After my father has his surgery for his kidney stone problem (he’s currently on the waiting list for elective surgery, and should be seen within the month), and has had awhile to recuperate, they plan on increasing their hours to about fifteen hours a week, or two days a week (per person), which would net them a combined $600AUD a week – more than they were earning with the shop, while working fewer hours.
So well, what was the purpose of this post? Essentially to show that people can choose to turn their life around. With my parents working significantly fewer hours than they previously were, while earning the same amount (or even higher), they’re able to spend more time at home…for the first time ever, I’ve been able to come home from work or university and have a proper family dinner with everyone present.
And that, I think, you can’t really put a price on.
5 Responses to Priceless
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I’m glad you’re able to spend more time together. My parents work pretty hard — Dad works days, five/six times a week, and Mum works nights at at least 2 different places. She always seems to be applying for another job. We still get to spend time together, but Mum sleeps a lot during the day :(
Jordie on March 13, 2008 #
Just what is a “Take-Away Shop” for those of us in the US that enjoy your wonderful ramblings?
And Yes, a proper family dinner is “PRICELESS.”
Larry on March 14, 2008 #
Sounds like a good idea to me!
Cherry on March 14, 2008 #
I love my father’s new job also — he used to work nights and so I’d never see him because during the day he’d just sleep as he was so shattered. Then he used to have trips away, up and down the country; I sometimes had to strain my memory to even think what he looked like. That combined with my mother having three smaller jobs meant the house was so empty all the time.
Things have changed now and there’s something lovely about a family having a little banter over a meal together. :P
Amber on March 14, 2008 #
hmm yeah, I know what you mean. My parents also own a small business and my brother and I were pretty much just locked up during summers and weekends because they had to work. But then, the business is good, so they stuck with it for so long. I’ve been keeping that in mind though, when thinking about what I’ll do in the future…I think I’d be happier making less but still having time to spend with my family. You know, since I missed out on a lot of it, I know that it kinda sucks. and that’s great that you’ve been able to have dinner together; it’s one of those small things that are really nice.
marilyn on March 14, 2008 #