Monthly Archives: May 2016

Children Learn by Example

Raising kids

Train up a child…

 

Children Learn By Example

 

I received the following e-mail from my sister who received it from her daughter. It is too good not to share.

 

When You Thought I Wasn’t Looking

 

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another.

 

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I knew that it was good to be kind to animals.

 

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I learned that it is the little things that can be the special things in life.

 

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I learned there is a God I can always turn to, and I learned to trust Him.

 

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all need to help take care of each other.

 

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you give of your time and money to those in need, and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don’t.

 

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you take care of our house and everything in it, and I learned that we should take care of what we are given.

 

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities even when you didn’t feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

 

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt but it is alright to cry.

 

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything I could be.

 

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I learned most of life’s lessons that I need to know to be a productive citizen when I grow up.

 

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, “Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn’t looking.”

 

Author Unknown

 

Questions or Comments: e-mail Patlee@Centurytel.net

“Him Busy, Too”

Raising kids,

Train up a child…

 

“Him Busy, too!”

 

A saying I once heard goes like this: “Confucius say, ‘A child with something to do, him busy. A child with nothing to do, him busy, too!”

How true this is!  We sometimes forget that a child’s mind and body do not stop just because an activity stops. Their minds and bodies are constantly active, whether with good things or not. When we sit down to watch TV or simply rest, their minds and bodies keep going, sometimes in the wrong direction.

When vacation time comes, parents and grandparents are often in a dilemma as to how to keep children busy with positive activities when their energy level is not the same as the child’s. May I suggest reading and traveling? A child’s vocabulary is greatly expanded through both of these activities and it doesn’t require a great deal of energy from the adults. The public library offers a multitude of adventures. Take the children there for a visit. Some libraries plan activities for the children at their locations. If you are not sure as to what books are appropriate for the age level of the child, ask the librarian.

It is a good idea to require children to have a quiet time each day. I chose to do this with our children and grandchildren after lunch each day. I did not require them to sleep but rather required them to read or write something each day if they did not want to rest. There was a study done a few years ago that led many schools to adopt a “Silent Sustained Reading” time each day at school. The children were not allowed to talk during this time, but they were required to read. Many teachers felt that there was a real benefit in this activity.

Some of the great classic books and stories are no longer included in a child’s learning at school. I know some parents who select a good classic book and read one chapter each night to their older children. This becomes a very special time for both the children and adult.

Many churches have Vacation Bible School during the summer. Most churches do not mind if children attend Bible school at more than one church. All we have to do is allow the children to attend. Often, the transportation is provided by the church.

There are many national monuments around the country for children to visit. Visiting such places not only provides an understanding of history and environment, but also enhances the vocabulary. One such monument is the George Washington Carver monument in Diamond, MO, near Joplin.

If we really love our children as we should, we will make the effort to use time and energy wisely for their benefit.

 

 

 

Time to Step up to the Plate, Dad!

Raising kids, , ,

Train up a child…

 

Time to Step up to the Plate, Dad!

 

Mother’s Day is almost here! Now it wouldn’t be proper for Mom to remind the kids to give her a present. Moms have to depend on Dad to do this. It’s Dad’s place to work with the children and not only remind them that they need to do something to show appreciation for Mom, but help them to truly appreciate her.

If you wait until the last minute, you won’t have time to get the children to put real thought into what their mother really does for them. You need to talk to them and ask them to tell you all the things they can think of that their mother does for them and others. You need to discuss their mother’s likes and dislikes, so they will know what would please her. This time of year may be your best opportunity to instill an appreciation in the children for their mother.

Help the children understand that the gift needs to be from them. Chances are they may try to con you into giving them money so they can quickly go buy something. The truth is, in such a case, the gift is not from them but from you. It is better that the children consider their own resources and come up with something. Mothers appreciate gifts from the heart.

What mother does not feel like a queen when dad and the kids come bringing her breakfast in bed on Mother’s Day? Sure, the toast may be burned and the kitchen a mess, but it is the thought that counts. Of course, it is even better if she finds the kitchen clean and the toast is not burned! The most memorable gifts are those where time and effort have been combined with thoughtfulness in their creation.

I remember a Mother’s Day when our youngest son could hardly wait to give me his gift. He was so excited that I could tell he wanted me to push him to give it to me early. He had made a gumball machine in his shop class by using a pint jar turned upside down on a board with a hole drilled in it. The gumball would drop in the hole and another board could be pulled out yielding a gumball.

One Mother’s Day my husband called me to the kitchen where three of our four children were gathered. One by one, each gave me a gift personally chosen. This was in the 70’s when the fruit odors became popular. I received a bottle in the shape of an apple with green apple cologne inside. One of the children gave me some watermelon flavored bubble bath. The third child gave me some peach bath powder. I looked around for the fourth child. Finally, he came in the door from outside holding a used paper cup with a rose in it. He had been out picking a rose for me! He had not heeded his dad’s advice and had waited until the last minute.

Even if Mom goes to church smelling like a fruit basket like I did that morning, she will cherish the fact that the children made an effort to show their love and appreciation for her. Dad, help your children to do just that! Then, in a month, it is Mom’s turn to do the same for you!