The Balancing Act

"Daddy, will you help me?" Five wonderful little words every parent loves to hear.

He has another birthday soon. Too soon. They just keep rolling by. The candles from last year's cake have just cooled off - it seems. Wasn't it just last month when he used to watch out the window as I left for few days on the road.

I can't ever recover those days away. The best any parent can do, I suppose, is to make the most of whatever precious time we have with our loved ones. Each day brings a new beginning.

I heard a teacher speak yesterday about child development. He said we ought to do everything we possible can to nurture, love and teach our children. To keep them healthy. To love them every chance we get. To teach them to read. And laugh. To make them feel safe.

Simple, basic, parenting advice. Too easily taken for granted. I hope I can do a much better of job of showing my boys how much I love them. Give them daily time and teachings. Provide a safe and healthy home environment - filled with love and healthy foods and good books.

I hope I can teach the boys some of the many ways to better grades in school. To encourage them to keep learning - even when they're not in the classroom! To show them that life is a balancing act. Having fun adn keeping healthy habits are just part of the balance. Learning and loving too!

Found this little ditty in Ephesians this morning:

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;

That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6: 1-4