I miss running. I want to do it. I am going to search for some time to do it. I think it would feel so refreshing right now. Just me, the pavement, and the woods around my house. I just get SO tired...
The babies have started sleeping through the night (well, except for last night, but that was my fault...). This is shocking to me. I have done nothing to encourage this, but it is happening! Both of them! At the same time! I hope it will continue. Maybe then I will have more energy for running. :)
Dave took the big kids with him last night to CR in Conway. I wanted to go, but I knew I just needed to be at home and recharge. I'm discovering that I need more margin in my life. I have not been very scheduled the last five years or so, but now, I am thriving on a schedule. It is the only way I can live well right now. Anyway, I'm realizing that I have to make room for my family, for the things that will bring us peace in our home, for the friends and ministries we want to be a part of (by the way, we've found a local body to worship with!!!), and for myself. I need this.
So, my goals this Spring are to declutter my life--of possessions, of plans, of anything that just makes me BUSY. No more busy work.
Life is NOT an emergency (Ann Voskamp).
It's not. I need to stop living like it is.
I don't need to beat myself up that my kids aren't eating homemade snacks right now.
I need to value my time more and be willing to sacrifice so that my time is best spent.
In fact, I need to nap more. It's next to impossible, but I can make it happen if I will let go of some things.
Life is to savored--sipped, not gulped--and I've been living Life in Big Gulps.
Time to slow down and focus on what matters most--living well for Jesus, for my family, for my friends, and for me. Take time to be healthy...time to be joyful...time to be thankful...time to model this for my children.
Life is NOT a Big Gulp.
Little sips...
Showing posts with label freedom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label freedom. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Helicopter Parenting
Pardon me, if you and I have had this conversation; it may be boring for you to read this.
There's a trend I (and some magazines I've read) have noticed among parents currently--helicopter parenting. It is hovering over your children while they play and constantly directing them, re-directing them, and micro-managing every activity in order to have a controlled environment. This also leads into organizing activities to entertain children. ALL DAY LONG.
These parents cannot have a phone conversation with another human being because they are too busy hovering. These parents cannot get anything done around the house because they are too busy controlling their child's every move. These parents find themselves at their wit's end because they don't have anything planned for their kids to do today, and they're running out of ideas!
Well, I tried to be this kind of parent because I felt guilty for not doing as much with my kids as "so-and-so" was doing with her kids. It didn't work for me. I have always enjoyed letting my kids play in their room with their toys uninterrupted. I get more accomplished that way! I also have noticed that my kids sense that I trust them to handle situations. Occasionally, one will run and tattle on the other one. If I don't feel that it is a severe situation, I will tell them to work it out. If I think they need a mediator, I will step in. I don't ignore them--not entirely, at least. I just don't think it is very easy to be a kid when a grown-up is constantly there bossing you around.
I boss my kids around enough outside of their play time. I have nothing against play groups or outings--hear me out--but I wonder why so many moms feel like they have to be involved in so many activities. I take my kids to the library, sometimes. :) I go over and we play at friend's houses, sometimes. I just don't know for sure that it is always best to constantly try to find a way to occupy them. Plus, your kids learn that they must be entertained in life. And we all know, as adults, entertaining yourself endlessly only leads to sin.
Isn't childhood about playing and make-believe?
My kids spend most of their awake time doing one of three things--playing pretend, coloring, and playing outside on their bikes or in the dirt. Isn't that what adults miss about childhood? Would you miss it if you knew that the entire time a parent would be correcting everything you did while you were trying to have fun?
Now, I will say this: I believe it is my job as a parent to lead my kids in a God-ward direction. I do not allow my children to have a life free of consequences--just the opposite. I hand out consequences all day. However, I don't feel it is my job to make my kid feel like he/she is inadequate at living life. I won't correct EVERYTHING they do. I won't try to protect EVERYTHING we own. I will allow my kids to fail--that is a consequence in and of itself.
I have heard the other extreme of this--free range kids. A lady in NY let her 8 yr old (approx.) ride the subway alone in NYC. That is just stupid. You certainly must not put your children in situations where great danger could befall them. They have been entrusted to us. You cannot deny parental responsibility--and we must not neglect our children.
I hope to be somewhere in the middle on this one. What about you?
There's a trend I (and some magazines I've read) have noticed among parents currently--helicopter parenting. It is hovering over your children while they play and constantly directing them, re-directing them, and micro-managing every activity in order to have a controlled environment. This also leads into organizing activities to entertain children. ALL DAY LONG.
These parents cannot have a phone conversation with another human being because they are too busy hovering. These parents cannot get anything done around the house because they are too busy controlling their child's every move. These parents find themselves at their wit's end because they don't have anything planned for their kids to do today, and they're running out of ideas!
Well, I tried to be this kind of parent because I felt guilty for not doing as much with my kids as "so-and-so" was doing with her kids. It didn't work for me. I have always enjoyed letting my kids play in their room with their toys uninterrupted. I get more accomplished that way! I also have noticed that my kids sense that I trust them to handle situations. Occasionally, one will run and tattle on the other one. If I don't feel that it is a severe situation, I will tell them to work it out. If I think they need a mediator, I will step in. I don't ignore them--not entirely, at least. I just don't think it is very easy to be a kid when a grown-up is constantly there bossing you around.
I boss my kids around enough outside of their play time. I have nothing against play groups or outings--hear me out--but I wonder why so many moms feel like they have to be involved in so many activities. I take my kids to the library, sometimes. :) I go over and we play at friend's houses, sometimes. I just don't know for sure that it is always best to constantly try to find a way to occupy them. Plus, your kids learn that they must be entertained in life. And we all know, as adults, entertaining yourself endlessly only leads to sin.
Isn't childhood about playing and make-believe?
My kids spend most of their awake time doing one of three things--playing pretend, coloring, and playing outside on their bikes or in the dirt. Isn't that what adults miss about childhood? Would you miss it if you knew that the entire time a parent would be correcting everything you did while you were trying to have fun?
Now, I will say this: I believe it is my job as a parent to lead my kids in a God-ward direction. I do not allow my children to have a life free of consequences--just the opposite. I hand out consequences all day. However, I don't feel it is my job to make my kid feel like he/she is inadequate at living life. I won't correct EVERYTHING they do. I won't try to protect EVERYTHING we own. I will allow my kids to fail--that is a consequence in and of itself.
I have heard the other extreme of this--free range kids. A lady in NY let her 8 yr old (approx.) ride the subway alone in NYC. That is just stupid. You certainly must not put your children in situations where great danger could befall them. They have been entrusted to us. You cannot deny parental responsibility--and we must not neglect our children.
I hope to be somewhere in the middle on this one. What about you?
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Couch to 5K--I've got rhythm.
My piano teacher told me I didn't have rhythm. Oh well. I don't like to count.
But, I'm getting into a running rhythm. As I run and get about 4-5 minutes into it, I suddenly am okay with running. I could go farther than my daily time limit (but I don't).
Yesterday, I walked 5 min, ran 10 min, walked 5 min. I actually ran a full mile in that ten minutes, so that felt nice. I could have kept running farther too. I'm learning to watch my pace too. I am usually running anywhere from 8:30 min/mi. to 10:30 min/mi. Not too shabby for a beginner, I'd say.
Tomorrow is 5, 11, 5. Dang. Next week looks SCARY. I thought this week did. Not compared to next week!
In other news, Dave and I were able to pay off our van and a small student loan!!! Only 4 more student loans to go!!! We are excited and feeling free!!! It feels amazing to say--I am no longer under your thumb!!!
We are discussing our financial goals and home improvement goals (the kind that actually keeps the house from inefficiency and falling apart--not remodeling). This year has become the year of freedom and discipline for us, and we are LOVING it.
Resurrection weekend has had me contemplative, thinking about the sacrifices of Jesus for us. May I never lose sight of it!
Off to book club in about 30 minutes to lead a discussion on The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne. If you haven't read it, you should. It is BRILLIANT. Much love to you all!
He is risen! He is risen, indeed!
But, I'm getting into a running rhythm. As I run and get about 4-5 minutes into it, I suddenly am okay with running. I could go farther than my daily time limit (but I don't).
Yesterday, I walked 5 min, ran 10 min, walked 5 min. I actually ran a full mile in that ten minutes, so that felt nice. I could have kept running farther too. I'm learning to watch my pace too. I am usually running anywhere from 8:30 min/mi. to 10:30 min/mi. Not too shabby for a beginner, I'd say.
Tomorrow is 5, 11, 5. Dang. Next week looks SCARY. I thought this week did. Not compared to next week!
In other news, Dave and I were able to pay off our van and a small student loan!!! Only 4 more student loans to go!!! We are excited and feeling free!!! It feels amazing to say--I am no longer under your thumb!!!
We are discussing our financial goals and home improvement goals (the kind that actually keeps the house from inefficiency and falling apart--not remodeling). This year has become the year of freedom and discipline for us, and we are LOVING it.
Resurrection weekend has had me contemplative, thinking about the sacrifices of Jesus for us. May I never lose sight of it!
Off to book club in about 30 minutes to lead a discussion on The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne. If you haven't read it, you should. It is BRILLIANT. Much love to you all!
He is risen! He is risen, indeed!
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