I think people naturally have a clear position in response to this question. I don’t think either position is “right” or “wrong”, but I know it is very easy to polarize people around this issue. I believe this strong pull to either end of the spectrum is because while outwardly being a rationale issue it is a highly emotive and value based one.

If you lean towards playing before work, you get frustrated and resentful if you are forced to complete chores and delay the fun factor. Conversely, if you only feel comfortable pursuing play when the work is done you can get agitated and grouchy watching others behave “irresponsibly” by not putting work first.

Probably not surprisingly I am a work first kinda girl. I come from generations of farmers and on a farm your dairy cows cannot wait while you play and the weather or your crops will not remain patiently in place while you seek the fun factor.

As the Mom of the Toad I am trying to demonstrate that neither position taken to the extreme is helpful and that while there may be a natural preference in one direction or the other there is also the importance of situational factors and choice with consequence that must be considered.

A similar but possibly more important question might be ice cream before or after dinner?

How would you answer these questions?