“SUMMER… THE CHANGE IN FAMILY DYNAMICS & CHILDREN”
“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.” Ephesians 5:15-16.
* Officially summer just started this week, but the reality is that kids have been out of school for summer vacation for a month. Maybe you have taken a summer trip with the kids or grandkids… Is there a vacation still in the plans? Are the kids going to summer camp? Sports camp to fill the children’s time & provide a “childcare” when the kids are out of school?
* Summer changes the family dynamics. If mom and dad work away from home, what will the kids do? Stay at home during the unstructured summer months? Will the grandparents keep an eye on them? Will the TV, the internet, and the smart phone “babysit” them?
* It all can get a bit complicated, but one thing is certain: Most children nowadays are too involved in activities during the year, and when summer comes around, many have little to do. It is difficult to schedule anything at church during the school year. Even confirmation classes and Sunday school are compromised due to the over-scheduling of extra-curricular activities. Most parents when faced with the option of having their kids in sports activities or church activities are not making the right choice.
* Going back to summer… Some psychologists and child development “experts” suggest that over-scheduling children during the summer is unnecessary and could ultimately keep kids from discovering what truly interests them. In my opinion we need to have a good balance.
* I believe that leaving young children at their own discretion, putting a phone in their hands and a complete access to TV and internet certainly can be damaging. “But mom, the parents of so and so gave him an I-phone.” Your role as a parent is to prepare children to take their place in society as mature adults… to mentor them and teach them to fill their leisure time in a way that will help them to accomplish that.
* Do not be afraid to give them chores such as working in the garden, cleaning the kitchen, organizing their rooms, help cooking... Oh, almost forgot, give them some Bible verses to memorize! Yeah! It will be good for them. Proverbs says:“Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” Proverbs 22:6.
* Also make sure they have time to relax and have a good time during a family vacation.
* You might hear your child or grandchild say: “I am bored!” Don’t think that you have to fill every moment of their life with activities. It has been proven that children need to be “bored” sometimes. It helps them to start thinking for themselves and have an “internal stimulus” which leads to creativity. It is an easy way out for parents to just let kids go on the internet when they say they are bored, but that is not the best solution. I assure you that planting tomatoes and green beans is a better activity. Reading a good book is also better.
* Don’t be too concerned when the kid is bored. Boredom is a chance to contemplate life, rather than rushing through it.
* Sit down with your children and establish goals with them… write down a list of what they will do during the summer months so they can look forward to it. Include fun activities, a vacation trip, free time, work, chores… or develop a new skill. Check the list with them during the summer and help them accomplish their goals.
* The philosopher Bertrand Russell back in 1930 wrote: “A child develops best when, like a young plant, he is left undisturbed in the same soil. Too much travel, too much variety of impressions, are not good for the young, and cause them as they grow up to become incapable of enduring fruitful monotony.” Are we suffering from that? Does your family seek a balance? Living wisely… use the summer well in your family and teach the kids to do the same.
* God bless you and yours! Your pastor, Rev. Don Sonntag
“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.” Ephesians 5:15-16.
* Officially summer just started this week, but the reality is that kids have been out of school for summer vacation for a month. Maybe you have taken a summer trip with the kids or grandkids… Is there a vacation still in the plans? Are the kids going to summer camp? Sports camp to fill the children’s time & provide a “childcare” when the kids are out of school?
* Summer changes the family dynamics. If mom and dad work away from home, what will the kids do? Stay at home during the unstructured summer months? Will the grandparents keep an eye on them? Will the TV, the internet, and the smart phone “babysit” them?
* It all can get a bit complicated, but one thing is certain: Most children nowadays are too involved in activities during the year, and when summer comes around, many have little to do. It is difficult to schedule anything at church during the school year. Even confirmation classes and Sunday school are compromised due to the over-scheduling of extra-curricular activities. Most parents when faced with the option of having their kids in sports activities or church activities are not making the right choice.
* Going back to summer… Some psychologists and child development “experts” suggest that over-scheduling children during the summer is unnecessary and could ultimately keep kids from discovering what truly interests them. In my opinion we need to have a good balance.
* I believe that leaving young children at their own discretion, putting a phone in their hands and a complete access to TV and internet certainly can be damaging. “But mom, the parents of so and so gave him an I-phone.” Your role as a parent is to prepare children to take their place in society as mature adults… to mentor them and teach them to fill their leisure time in a way that will help them to accomplish that.
* Do not be afraid to give them chores such as working in the garden, cleaning the kitchen, organizing their rooms, help cooking... Oh, almost forgot, give them some Bible verses to memorize! Yeah! It will be good for them. Proverbs says:“Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” Proverbs 22:6.
* Also make sure they have time to relax and have a good time during a family vacation.
* You might hear your child or grandchild say: “I am bored!” Don’t think that you have to fill every moment of their life with activities. It has been proven that children need to be “bored” sometimes. It helps them to start thinking for themselves and have an “internal stimulus” which leads to creativity. It is an easy way out for parents to just let kids go on the internet when they say they are bored, but that is not the best solution. I assure you that planting tomatoes and green beans is a better activity. Reading a good book is also better.
* Don’t be too concerned when the kid is bored. Boredom is a chance to contemplate life, rather than rushing through it.
* Sit down with your children and establish goals with them… write down a list of what they will do during the summer months so they can look forward to it. Include fun activities, a vacation trip, free time, work, chores… or develop a new skill. Check the list with them during the summer and help them accomplish their goals.
* The philosopher Bertrand Russell back in 1930 wrote: “A child develops best when, like a young plant, he is left undisturbed in the same soil. Too much travel, too much variety of impressions, are not good for the young, and cause them as they grow up to become incapable of enduring fruitful monotony.” Are we suffering from that? Does your family seek a balance? Living wisely… use the summer well in your family and teach the kids to do the same.
* God bless you and yours! Your pastor, Rev. Don Sonntag