"We live in a world that is filled with options. If we are not careful, we will find every minute jammed with social events, classes, exercise time, book clubs, scrapbooking, Church callings, music, sports, the Internet, and our favorite TV shows. One mother told me of a time that her children had 29 scheduled commitments every week: music lessons, scouts, dance, Little League, day camps, soccer, art, and so forth. She felt like a taxi driver. Finally, she called a family meeting and announced, 'Something has to go; we have no time to ourselves and no time for each other.' Families need unstructured time when relationships can deepen and real parenting can take place. Take time to listen, to laugh, and to play together."
M. Russell Ballard, "Daughters of God," Ensign, May 2008, 109-110
Topics: Children, Family, Motherhood
My favorite line is:
"We have no time to ourselves and no time for each other."
This happens so easily, right before our eyes and we usually don't see it coming. This is why it is easy for me to say no to so many activities, even very worthwhile, for our girls. I refuse to be running too many directions and have them constantly over-scheduled. The craziness will come as they get older, however, from time to time, I will still sit down and scale back the dashing to and fro. As much as possible, I avoid have the girls out late on School Nights. I prefer to have them not out on any school night, however this is not realistic.
It is important to be home together for meals, bedtime routines, chores, family scriptures and prayer, etc. When we are on the run too much, these ever important activities are less likely to happen.
Perhaps during Round 2 of Parenting, I am a little wiser...
Has your family ever been too busy that no one has time for themselves or each other?
What did you do to reverse this?
1 comment:
When we watch "Pride & Prejudice"
and other such movies (or read),we
notice the families of that era sitting, reading, eating, walking, playing the piano, learning together!! It's lovely. In our days we must choose from the good, better and best! Great post :)
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