As we approach summer, some of us are given an added wealth of time with our kids as school is not in session. What are we going to do with it? Is it tablet and TV time? Send them off to a friend’s house? I am notorious for saying the words, “Go play.” I didn’t’ realize how much I said it until my husband pointed it out to me the other day. This season, as my crew is in the heart of childhood, I want to give it my all.
It can be so easy to just hand them a phone and let your kids watch TikTok and YouTube, but did you know that even with parental controls, they can still be exposed to stuff you’d never want your kid to watch. I’m guilty, I’ve done it myself with the tablet usage in the past, and I’ve gone in their room and seen them watching a kids’ show that I wasn’t okay with. It wasn’t their fault. It was mine. We’re responsible for what they take into their spirits. This is part of what Proverbs is talking about when it instructs to “Guard your heart above all else.” It’s our job as parents to guard our kid’s heart. Let’s make it our mission to protect what is precious.
I also want to bring up the subject of friends. Did you know you can say no to your child when they ask to go over to a friend’s house. Simply make them unavailable. Our kid’s friends shape their future, and if I’m not completely comfortable with my children going over to someone’s house, I simply say,” I’m sorry, they’re not available today.” Even if it’s well-meaning relative, if you’re not comfortable with it, don’t allow it.
Can I go on another rant while I’m on a roll? Ball. Travel ball, sports, endless activities. You know, I love activities with my kids. People tell me all the time they love to see our pictures of all the adventuresg we have. Yes, I do love to be out, but we are home every night and have dinner around our table. We keep a bedtime and we don’t miss church, Sunday or Wednesday, because of a ballgame and all my kids play sports. Travel ball is stealing our families and robbing our kids of their purpose. We fork out money hand over fist and give up another one of our most valuable resources we cannot get back, our time and if you’re honest with yourself, your peace.
So, let me wrap it up and tie things together saying I recognize these things as prime candidates that steal our time with our kids. We only have so much of it. Ask a mom who is sending off a graduate to college. They all say the same thing. “Where did the time go? Yes, it is swift, but we are here now and can be intentional to make the most of every moment.
