OK. So as I re-read my blog on leftovers from yesterday it got me wondering. . .
How often do our families get our leftovers? How often do we come home from work wiped out, tired, and just want to sit in the recliner or even go to bed early? Meanwhile our kids need our attention, not for attention's sake but because as parents God has given us the responsibility to pour into their lives. What message do we send them when watching the news is more important? What message do we send them when we don't have time to play a game with them but we have time to read a book? What are we doing when Dad goes to bed at 7:30 or 8 and they are up on their own for 2 or 3 hours figuring out ways to "kill" time?
Ever said, "Go do your homework!"? Sure, most parents have. The question is this, were they told that to "get them out of your hair"?
"I don't have time to. . . ". Ever said that to your kid? My guess is a parent who "doesn't have time" is probably the first one in line for lecture time. I got time to lecture you but no time to spend with you.
I guess my line of thinking is this:
If we give our family our leftovers what are our kids gonna think when we take the time to share Christ with them?
Some ideas:
- Carve out a some time each day where your focus is on your child. This may freak your teen out at first but they will appreciate it down the road.
- Wake up Saturday, load the family in the car and take a spontaneous day trip. Drive to Hatteras and take the Ferry to Ocrakoake for lunch and to see the ponies. Load em up and go up to Chesapeake for some ice skating. Take the family to Laser Quest, nothing brings a family together like a good game of laser tag or paintball.
- Have fun with you kid on a daily basis. You don't have to spend a lot of money. Take them to school in a game of Uno. Have fun!
- Have them help you cook their favorite meal. Ty loves doing this.
- Have family movie night. Pop the popcorn and settle in for a movie marathon.
- Take the family on a destination unknown. (that would be brilliant for a summer vacation)
- Guard your calendar and schedule in some time for your kids that are non-negotiable for you or for them.
No leftovers!
7 comments:
Our young but very capable youth pastor delivered the message on Sunday, and it was exactly along these lines. His most important point - to me - is that parents are leaving a legacy to their kids. What is our legacy? Parents, we only have once chance at raising Godly, decent kids. Don't blow it! Like you say, spend TIME with your kids. And don't be fooled that "quality time" can be substituted for QUANTITY of time. Thanks, Andy.
seriously, if you take Ty paintballing anytime soon, I'm calling the authorities...
RIGHT ON!
This is a great reminder to me for our family. We've let a little time honored tradition slip as the kids have gotten older but I think its time to dust it off and bring it back out.
Friday night was traditionally Family Night here. No cell phones, tv, computer and we screened calls on the land line. The kids got to pick what we'd eat (eat out, a family favorite, pick up fast food and have a carpet picnic) and it was game time! I could FINALLY smoke my 8 year old in checkers! Followed by our usual nightly devotion. The kids would come home so excited on Fridays knowing it was FAMILY NIGHT. No one was allowed to make a committment on Fridays...it was already on the calendar as F.N.
Yep, Friday seems like a good time to get this started again! Thanks, Andy.
One year we took the kids on a vacation that started Christmas day. They knew we were going somewhere, but didn't know where.
Under the tree they each had new luggage, and in the luggage were their plane tickets. Since we left that afternoon they spent the rest of Christmas morning packing.
It was a lot of fun.
I wasn't too happy about the packing part...and, I remember having strep throat for half of that vacation. Other than that, it was fun times.
Andy, if you do decide to go paintballing, Take Little Terry, he can not hit anything.
Today we are doing family time at the Texas Inn!!!!!!!!
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