Summer’s Here! Whoo hoo!
Kids are out of school.
No rushed mornings. Or, at least no homework or projects due.
BUT….are your children controlling you? Or, are you building into them the following admirable traits?
Personal Responsibility
Do you want to raise a slob or someone who knows how to pick up after themselves?
It may not bother you to pick up a 2 year old’s sippy cup. But if your 7 year old knocks over his apple juice and leaves it on the table, you may be rightly annoyed. And it isn’t cool for a 12 year old to leave cans of half drunk sodas in his room for you to pick up.
Enlist your kids to help you think through important areas of personal responsibility. Ask, “If Daddy takes off his socks by the couch, who should put them in the dirty clothes hamper?” “If you finish eating an apple, who should put the core in the trash?” Let the kids come to the conclusion that everyone should pick up after themselves. Offer to remind them if they forget.
Private Quiet Time
We are raising a generation of plugged in children who are used to being entertained by parents, teachers, shows, and games. But, are we also teaching them that they can be by themselves? Are we modeling for them quiet time with God; and that reading our Bibles and other books is good? Do we provide quiet times of prayer, meditation, music, and art for them to enjoy?
Our children may be past nap time, but rest or quiet time is valuable at any age. Jesus modeled going away by Himself. Our children will not always have someone to be there with them, entertaining them, playing with them. A wise mom will help her child develop the ability to rest quietly with a book, music, crayons, or to simply lie still and look out the window at the clouds, and to think.
Building 30 minutes or at least 15-20 minutes of quiet time into your day where each family member can go to their room and rest gives your child and you an important break in the day.
Pivotal Development
You and your child are either vegging or developing physically, spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and relationally every day. Building into our summer schedule the opportunity for each area may seem challenging, but in fact, it makes for an easier summer. Morning devotionals, outside play time, healthy snacks of apples and water, rest time that includes reading or listening to classical music contribute to body, mind, and spirit development.
Purposeful Service
Children tend to be self-centered…unless we teach them to “look out for the interests of others;” (Philippians 2:4) to “visit widows and orphans,” (James 1:27) and to “help those who are weak.” 1 Thessalonians 5:14. Bringing to our children’s attention the needs of others and then letting them come up with ideas for how to help them may be the highlight of your child’s summer.
Yes, summer is a relaxing time. But, it can also be chaotic if mom doesn’t organize her home and create some flexible parameters for personal responsibility, private quiet time, pivotal development, and purposeful service.
I’d love to hear from you and how you plan to incorporate the above ideas. And, while you’re providing the above opportunities for your kids, remember to take care of you. My book, “The Plan A MOM in a Plan B World: How to Raise Faithful Kids” is chocked full of encouragement for moms. You can order it HERE.
Heavenly Father, thank You that each day is a gift. Help us use our time with our children wisely; with eternity and You in mind. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
by Debbie Taylor Williams
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