It may be snowing, but Louisa is eager to use her new snorkel set!
Playing with your children and their toys: it is easy when they are little, but as they grow up a bit, we don’t play quite as often. But an 8-12 year old enjoys Mom and Dad engaging with them just like a little one does. And toys—oh, they take on magic when a parent is involved playing with them.
by May Morgan Potter
Fred ate his breakfast dutifully and then slipped down from his chair.
“Now can I go over to Jimmy’s, mother?” he asked.
“But Fred,” I said, “you were over there yesterday and the day before. Why not have Jimmy come here today?”
Daniel Webster
If we work on marble, it will perish. If we work upon brass, time will efface it. If we rear temples, they will crumble into dust, but if we work upon immortal minds, and instill into them just principles, we are then engraving upon that tablet that which no time will efface but will brighten and brighten to all eternity.
—Daniel Webster
When we spend $$ for that colorful, wonderful new toy, we are hoping, wishing, and dreaming that we can delight baby or keep our toddler busy “for hours” like the package says. But it turns out that toys are just toys—and not Mommy. No surprise. Mommy is what children really need and want!
Our grandbaby Rachel with her loving mother Melanie
Come Play With Me
Passing through her kitchen,
I saw dishes waiting there. . .
A basket full of laundry
Beside a rocking chair.
Her house was clean, but much undone-
I wondered, “Where is she
That order is not all about
As time approaches three?”
The golden hours to be with family. . . time to talk, play games, take walks and . . . to share our talents!
One of our traditions is put on a little talent show for each other in a very fun and informal way. Every time we have a talent show, I feel amazed at how accomplished my children are! (How did that happen?) I realize that I don’t often enough just stop and fully listen to the results of their practicing, practicing. It is so fun to hear my kids play their instruments, sing, recite poetry they have memorized in homeschool, tell a story or do a dance. I think it is so good for them too—a chance to shine and be applauded without the stress of a formal recital!
Forgive me, Lord, for all the tasks
That went undone today.
But this morning when my child
Toddled in and said, “Mommy play?”
I simply had to say “yes”.
And between the puzzles, and trucks and
Blocks and dolls and old hats and books
And giggles,
We shared a thousand special thoughts,
A hundred hopes and dreams and hugs.
And tonight, when prayer time came
And he folded his hands and softly whispered
“Thank you, God, for Mommy and Daddy
And for Mommy playing,”
I knew it was a day well wasted.
And I knew you’d understand.
I am homeschooling my son and most of the time it is wonderful. We stay very busy running here and there so he can be with other children. Even still, at times, there is some isolation and I wonder if it is the ideal choice for him? Which is better: public school or homeschool? [Read more…]
The usefulness of reading charts and library games has always escaped me. “You get a prize for reading 6 books” sounds about the same to me as getting a prize for every 6 brownies I eat. Who needs motivation? Reading is delicious!
