Hello there friends and family,
I am really excited for this topic we will be
discussing today! It comes from chapter
22 at the beginning of the chapter. I have been thinking a lot about this topic
lately, especially in regards to my future family.
“Recreation can be easy. We all know how to find fun
things to do. In our current world, we are immersed in a plethora of
entertaining technology. We have access to a variety of television programming;
we have myriad interactive video games.
If we are on the go, we have smart phones that access the digital
airways. … The choices are endless.” (pg 225)
This post will be strongly flavored by my own
beliefs and opinions, if you find your opinion varies a great deal from mine
that is alright. I simply want to express the way I see things, again from my
not quite yet a mother’s perspective.
Let’s get down to business. First here is a quote from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf that really offers the point of my message today -
"Isn’t it true that we often get so busy? And, sad to say, we even wear our busyness as a badge of honor, as though being busy, by itself, was an accomplishment or sign of a superior life." (Click here for talk this quote is from.)
Being busy is not necessarily a good thing. As the
modern world has developed more and more optional and recreational activities
have been made available. It is almost every parent’s quest, especially in the
United States to offer their children what they perceive to be a superior
childhood to their own. It is not a written rule or expectation, yet so very
many parents attempt to and work very hard to secure the best future
opportunities for each of their children.
Parents have been known to do some outlandish things
for their children at very early ages. Recently a woman bought a 6 million
dollar condo for her two year old, so she could have an in when it came time to
go to NYU or Harvard. (Click here for article)
Don’t take me for someone who does not want children to have wonderful options
and opportunities, it is just that there seems to be a line as to what is best
and what is just nice.
I will paint for you the scenario I see as ideal for
a child, specifically an LDS child, but nonetheless any child:
The child is born to loving parents who are married,
a mother and a father. They have a safe and clean home for the baby to live in.
The father works hard and provides well so that the wife/mother can stay home
and take loving care of the new child. The mother is frugal and takes excellent
care of her child and home and does her best, but is alright without having
every last detail perfect in their home or life.
The child grows and is read to, taught about Jesus,
and is reared with love. The child is prepared for Kindergarten and is ready to
begin the learning process, already familiar with activities and a bit of self
discipline. By this time another child is in the home and the same process
continues with the new baby.
As the first child progresses through school, outside
activities lure his attention and he desires to participate in an after school
soccer league. The parents allow this to take place but explain to their son
that he can only do one after school activity at a time. This family keenly
values family time, and though extracurricular activities can be rewarding for
the attributes they can instill in a child there must be time to simply spend
as a child using their imagination as well as protected family time.
(My husband, myself, our nephew and niece)
Alright that is the perfect ideal I see for the
first few years of parenthood and handling the ills of busyness.
I have been watching some documentaries on the Amish
and Shakers. Though I do not want to surrender or , my husband, I do
feel that there is great value in the humble, simple, and purposeful
lifestyles they choose to live.
The way people used to live was simple, but worked
for thousands of years. People often lived near extended family members, and
all would work hard to harvest food and raise the necessary means to live a
healthy functioning life. They were able to spend time together cleaning, growing
food, and preparing food.
I earnestly would like in my home for my children to
play with traditional toys, wooden toys, books, paint and paper, and all types
of implements that aid the imagination and allow for the intellect and
personality to flourish.
I am not anti- technology( should be obvious since I
am writing a blog), I simply believe when it comes to screen time and
use of technology that less is more. I believe that the TV should not be a baby
sitter, but a tool to watch uplifting and informative documentaries, movies, or
TV series.
For me the bottom line is balance. There are so many
good and so many wonderful things that we can do and can involve our children
in. President McKay said that "No other success can compensate for failure
in the home."
Also Elder Oaks gave an excellent talk entitled Good, Better, Best
(Click here for the text).He talks a lot about how we have many wonderful opportunities
each day and all through out our lifetime, but there are things that we should
be doing that are of far greater worth than others.
A man once said its not that satan is getting good
men to do bad things, its that he is distracting them with less important
things.
We believe that the family should take priority even
over church callings, responsibilities, and opportunities.
Another huge indicator that our families truly
matter and our absolutely worth the time investment in, is when those near
death have been asked about what they would change or do differently you almost
never hear anyone say I wish I had stayed at the office later and missed more
of my children’s important life events, no it is just the opposite, they wish
they could have been at more and had made more cherished memories with their
children.
My point and hope is, is that people will understand
that slowing down can prove to be a major blessing to all within a family unit.
Yes you should reach for the stars, seek to excel, and do all you can to be
your best. However this should never be at the expense of a rich childhood
filled with loving memories, and skills taught in the home to children.
I could go on for a long while about this critical
topic. That is not the best idea though.
Thank you for your readership and thoughts. I
welcome your opinions and insights.
Here are some questions to think on or comment from.
What was your childhood like?
What would you change about your childhood if you
could?
What do you think about the balancing act required
for families to be successful in today’s fast paced world?
