Day 329 - Parenting in an Electronic Age

"I sent the kids outside because they were all buried in phones and iPads. I told them they weren't allowed back inside for a minimum of one hour. They ended up spending the whole afternoon outside and it was a really nice day."

It used to be that the television was the reason we were sent outside. Then eventually the video game showed up and wasted hours of time and brain function. Now it is the cell phone and the tablet. 

What I like about what happened last year was that not only did I notice the problem and address it but the kids responded how they should. They ended up spending the day outside. No surprise here. Kids should love it outside on a nice day. I have made exceptions for heat, cold and rain. There are no excuses when it is a gorgeous day. 

As a kid all I needed to fill an entire day with fun was a friend. If one wasn't readily available then a ball would fill an hour or so until someone on my street noticed how much fun I was having and would decide to join me. It never took much to entertain me because my imagination was huge. 

I don't think we have lost the imagination of youth. I think we have lost the motivation to push our children to use their imaginations. I am a firm believer in dirt, sticks, sports, water, play dough, crayons, paper and scissors, building blocks, musical instruments and on and on. Without an adult to help the child on the way to imagination they will follow the television, game or whatever other mind numbing device they have. 

All it takes for my kids to slow to a snails pace is for a cartoon to be turned on. They won't even take a bite of a meal when they are starving if there is a kids show on in their general vicinity. I often have to turn the television off to get them to eat. 

So parents, help your children to develop their minds and imaginations. Send them outside. Set them up to play, create and have fun. Here is a thought, dive in with them and create some fun memories while you are at it. 

What interests do your children have? Are there other ways to engage them in productive activities? 

Day 179 - When the Bride Walks In

"I did a wedding today and when the bride walked in everyone applauded. It was a first for the weddings I have done."

I remember this day because I had to iron my shirt for the wedding which made me right on time. You never want the bride or the minister late. I rushed to my spot to officiate and after the whole procession came in they opened the back doors to the chapel and here came the bride. She was dressed in white with a flowing train behind her dress. Her flowers were beautifully arranged and she held them perfectly for everyone to admire. All that was second to her smile as she entered the room looking around at her friends and family and finally resting her gaze on the groom. 

Of coarse he was smiling and a bit teary eyed. To be honest I have had more grooms cry than brides. And his gaze was set set the moment she walked in. 

It was such a pleasant surprise when everyone saw her and started to applaud. It was like the rush of wind through the trees that when you hear it commands your attention and makes you take notice. 

I wonder if Heaven will be like that. When Jesus calls us home and we arrive at the gates. The bride adorned for the groom. The gates swing open and we enter in. All around us are sights we have only imagined as we read from the Bible. The golden streets, the crystal sea, the living creatures...and then we see Him. He is there on the throne waiting for us. All of Heaven erupts with shouts of joy and triumph. We are with Him forever. 

What do you like about weddings? What do you imagine when you think of Heaven? 

Day 137 - Fort Couch

"I got home and my mom and the kids had built a fort in the living room with the couch cushions."

Do you have memories of building couch cushion forts as a kid? I remember building tents, forts, cities and even a summer camp in our living room. Who needed fancy toys when you had building blocks as big as you were?! My brother and I would often play for hours with the simplest of items; a stick, a ball, dirt clods, a shovel. One item and a whole lot of imagination was all we needed for an afternoon of fun. 

I get sad when I see so many kids today staring at a screen. No matter if it is a small one or a large one I can almost feel the brain of that child slowly melting into a puddle of dead cells. 

Thankfully there is still air, sunshine, sticks, balls and dirt clods on the earth today. With my kids I will see them with my phone or watching television and after a little while I am kicking them outside. Yes they protest but after a little while their brains turn back on and they get a revelation of how fun it can be to imagine and play. 

I guess in some ways I am still just a big kid because I am usually the one who wants to get outside and have my architectural design in a lot of the couch cushion forts. 

Where did your imagination take you as a child? How can we get our children more creative and imaginative?