...but you can't say that to a 6 year old who feels a sense of drudgery, can you?
DS told me tonight in tears that he feels sad because 'I have so many jobs and things to do and I don't get anything back, it isn't fair.' He has said similar things a couple of times before, but not with as much distress.
For context, DS is the eldest of 3 and in school time he is pretty busy. He has about 20-30 minutes of homework plus reading everyday. He also does piano, swimming and football after school - not all at the same time of course- all of which he chose to do and actually enjoys. Both DH and I work ft (DH mostly at home) so weekdays are pretty A-Z-bed; even weekends are often disrupted by someone's work. We have no family close by and rely on state childcare to fill the gaps.
Obviously I don't want him to feel like this, but what to do? Reasoning with him that objectively he has a good life with everything he needs obviously doesn't cut it. I have been thinking that since he is nearly 7 it would make sense for him to start having formal pocket money with a sliding reward system for good and exceptionally good behaviour. But at the same time I am wary of teaching him to expect payment for everyday things he should do anyway - like doing his home work/piano practice, tidying away his toys, eating vegetables etc? Plus I don't want him spending all his free time playing computer games and watching YouTube videos, which is what he would prefer to do, given the option. (He is already not allowed screens on school nights, and screen time at the weekend only in return for good behaviour and not nagging.)
So in brief, how can I help him feel more positive about the slog that is life? I sympathise now but sure I didn't feel like this at 6.