Lessons for a LifeTime

From Proverbs 3:

"Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.

For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.

She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.

Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.

By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.

My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:

So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.

Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. "
Proverbs 3: 13-23

What lessons can we share with our children that will serve them for a lifetime?
Love, understanding, kindness.

Lessons for 2009 and beyond

"The greatest good you can do for another is not just share your riches, but reveal to them their own." -- Benjamin Disraeli

I hope someday down the long, wonderful road of life my son will remember something he learned from me. I hope he will share and teach someone he loves as much as I love him. I hope I can teach him to love – and be loved better than I have. Of all the lessons he will undoubtedly encounter ( and hopefully learn ) I hope that love for himself and others will someday become so strongly imbued in him as to be second nature. I hope he does better than I have.

I hope he’ll learn to respect himself and others. I try to remind him often of the golden rule. I hope he is absorbing that just like he picks up on all the little nuances in Zach and Cody’s adventures.

I hope he will learn to love reading and will read often. Read some Mark Twain, some Zig, and much from the Bible. I hope he will learn from the masters just like we try to. I hope he’ll read more about the great Benjamin Disraeli and Ben Franklin than I have. I hope he’ll develop a life-long love of reading.

I hope he’ll learn to love nature and the great outdoors even more than I do. And learn to treat this great earth we inhabit better than I have. I hope he will treat the healthy little body God gave him like a temple and practice better restraint than his Dear Old Dad ever did.

I hope I can teach him the importance of saving for a rainy day. Of setting aside some of his earnings. I hope I can teach him some money saving tips that will actually stick with him! I hope I can teach him the art of frugal living. And to start saving money at an early age!

May all our beloved young loved ones learn to love themselves, each other, and this great land we are so fortunate to live in. I hope I can teach him how to love!

Merry Christmas

"Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
Luke 2:5-14

Merry Christmas

Let the Christmas Buyer Beware

Boy number 2 loves cars! For his fourth birthday all he wanted were some cars! No expensive video games or electronics. No clothes ( who EVER wants clothes? ) or bikes or gadgets. Just cars! That makes shopping easy. almost...

Now, three weeks later I discover that around 80% of the toys on retailers shelves are made in China. And despite last year's warnings - we still get toys from our Chinese friends laden with too much lead in the paint.

Well - back in the Summer - our elected officials passed legislation aimed at making our childrens' toys safer. And President Bush promptly signed it into law! This new law is effective February 9, 2009. That's right - in 2009!!! This sad tale gets even worse. Recently published reports tell us that the Consumer Product Safety Commission - who enforces these newly enacted laws - has told the toy makers that if they still have any toys with the harmful amounts of lead or other dangerous chemical - not to worry. They can keep selling these potentially dangerous toys to the children in the USA until their stocks are depleted!!

Now, I'm all for the stockholders of Mattel and Disney making a good return on their investments. I just don't want my child having some toy with dangerous levels of ANY potentially harmful chemical. Toy company profits are far less important than our childrens health!

Are there any safe toys to give a child this Christmas?

Maybe this Christmas I'll just buy books ( hopefully books made in the states ) or DVDs or anything I can find that is free of the made in China stamp.

Maybe I'll get the boys the VeggieTales DVD Library - The Complete Collection

The Electronic Babysitter

On the drive into the city this morning I heard a disturbing statistic. The average child today is spending 45 hours each week playing video games or watching TV or sitting in front of a computer. I don’t know about your children – but mine aren’t exactly using their computer to learn! They like to play games on their PC – or watch cartoons on the cartoon channel web-site.

These same researchers are suggesting that all this time spent in front of video and TV screens is partially to blame for childhood obesity and behavior problems both in school and down the road. You THINK?

What happened to playing outside? Sometimes I wish I had never bought them that silly playstation. Or that other $125 babysitter – his Nintendo gameboy. Last night I had to threaten taking away his game time on his computer before the eldest son would sit down and read with me. I imagine I’m nowhere near the first parent to encounter some resistance when it comes to homework time.

This summer we picked up new bikes for both the older boys. They had outgrown last year’s models. Neither new bike saw much use this past Summer. The gameboys on the other hand… Well, you get the picture. What will their lives be like when they get into FaceBook or MySpace or wherever else youth spend their online time?

Maybe this Christmas I’ll buy them both basketballs – or soccer balls. Maybe I’ll get them a couple of fishing poles and tackle boxes. Or a good book to read!

Or, maybe I'll get them something good to watch while they do watch TV -
VeggieTales DVD Library - The Complete Collection

The Perfect Christmas Gift

Growing up in the pre- video game era, we had entirely different entertainment options than the youngsters of today. We actually went outside to play! We did watch the TV at night and some Saturday mornings we’d watch cartoons.

My little guys still enjoy cartoons on Saturday mornings – much like many of us did in our early years! I was happy to hear my son laughing last Saturday while he watched an early morning cartoon show. I looked over to see what had him so amused and found him laughing repeatedly at Tom and Jerry! I think I used to enjoy that same cartoon when I was his age.

Sometimes it seems like he only enjoys today’s ultra outrageous, overly violent cartoons. Cartoons like Ben 10, Bakugan, and Pokemon are just three of his favorites. It used to be Power Rangers until his mean old Dad decided that one was too violent. In recent years I‘ve tried to discourage that kind of violence based entertainment. Although at times I think we’ve only ended up trading one violent show for another. That Ben 10 kid is always fighting some unbelievable bad guy.

What happened to Scooby Doo? I can’t recall Anyone ever getting hurt in a Scooby Doo cartoon!

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could get our children interested in less violent entertainment diversions? I realize we might not sell as many Chinese made plastic toys covered in who knows what kind of undesirable substance! And heaven forbid if the big cereal makers have to advertise during more wholesome family shows.

Maybe this Christmas I’ll introduce them to an old childhood favorite of mine. A cartoon where nobody gets shot by a futuristic ray-gun. Maybe I’ll turn them onto a cartoon where no one gets in a fight or a battle! A show with a decided absence of violence.

Maybe I’ll introduce them to a harmless tale filled with lessons of love. A saga where happy children have fun with each other in a safe environment. There is sure to be some typical childrens taunting and teasing. And still, in the end, all is well. And love fills the air!

I think this Christmas I’ll introduce my children to that age old classic –A Charlie Brown Christmas (Remastered Deluxe Edition)

Teaching good habits - Exercise and eating healthy

Leading by example has been proven throughout history as the best way to teach. Children are kind of like sponges. They tend to absorb things - good or bad. Healthy or unhealthy. If I sit in front of the TV for hours on end each day - then guess what I'm telling my children? If I choose to smoke and drink excessively - they seem to learn that those habits aren't all that bad.

If I instead choose to get outside and get some exercise, they are exposed to a healthier lesson.

Childhood goes by so fast. In the grand scheme - our time with our children is so brief. I wonder if I might impress upon them a healthier lifestyle in this brief window of opportunity!

I wonder how much better their lives will be if they absorb the notion that exercise and sports are fun! If they naturally learn to enjoy sports and physical activities they will develop a habit of healthy fun. Our childrens' health is perhaps one of the greatest lessons we can share.

Teaching them that exercise and eating healthy are good habits will only help them lead healthier and hopefully longer lives!

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12: 1-2