By Chris Kovatch

I have been struggling for the past week or so with my annual reoccurrence of back pain. It is something that I have come to expect at least once a year.

My injury dates back to when I was 18 and got a compression fracture in my spine. It has expanded its hold by adding a bulging disc or two to its mix.

This makes my everyday duties a bit more of a challenge that I would like. Slow and deliberate movements take up most of my day. Even the easiest of tasks, like tying my shoes, involves quite a bit of pain.

Then I realize…hey… I have kids. Is it really taking advantage of them if I am helping them learn important life skills, right?

In all seriousness, I am very blessed with the way my kids help me out. They are quick to lend a hand in bathing the dog or carrying trash to the can outside or getting my youngest into his car seat.

Even though the things they help me with aren’t tasks that they will be solely their responsibility for a number of years, they are something that will help them be a better adult.

It seems like there has been a sudden decline in kids being armed with even the simplest of skills. While I am a huge fan of technology, there should be a line that we do not cross. Technology can do a lot for us, but we can do a lot for ourselves as well.

Raising self-sufficient children is one of my goals as a parent.

I want an appropriate blend of common sense, respect, and technical savvy. I want my children to be able to help me understand the latest tech but also be able to write a check and balance a checkbook. I want them prepped for as many possible scenarios as possible.

I will continue to let them play on their iPad and phones as they are valuable tools for development, but I will also make sure they can wash their own clothes and can cook for themselves.

This is important because at the end of the day one of them will be in charge of my care as I get older. Some may call it self-interest, I prefer to think of it as my way of raising all-around good people…and having a retirement plan.