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Strangely enough, this whole entry was written a few nights ago while we were on the road heading down I-95 as Maggie well noted in her comment. And I was blogging from my phone, so somehow the entry got lost in cyberspace, though I thought it had worked. Apparently not. Well, we are experiencing the surreal feelings of 80 degree weather at the very end of November. I haven't experienced this in a LONG time. Just out of habit I keep wearing my clogs, warm socks and long sleeves only to go outside and keep the car's AC on the whole time. It's been 11 years since we lived in Florida. And it sure lives up to it's sunshine state reputation. I can feel the boost already in my seratonin levels. The children are observing with curiosity and enjoyment the distinct vegetation of the area, so unlike Ohio. Spanish moss swaying in the breezes, the Palmetto plants, palms, and tall tall pines. Crossing the St. Johns river several times today we realized we've missed and are relishing now being near the water again. A navy family just feels right with an ocean in "the backyard." It's a little bit stressful being jammed in a hotel room with 6 other human beings who aren't very quiet. Well, my husband isn't so loud. But I always feel quite self conscious about the noise a crew of this magnitude generates. I can't bear feeling stared at, but so many people have done double takes at our family in the breakfast room this morning, for example, and even tonight at dinner. I was very gratified when at the Olive Garden a woman from the next table came over and praised the children's good behavior. We have a standing principle in our family that if that happens out of the blue while we're out to eat, we'll treat the kids to ice cream. We've eaten out every meal for the last several days except the hotel continental breakfast, and I'm sure I'm going to have gained ten pounds from it all. Our new apartment will be ready on Friday, and we visited it today. I think aside from missing our own things that represent "home" to us, it will be very nice indeed. The complex is furnishing it for us, so we'll just bring in our clothes. On personal interest level, I've been reading more about the "tween" phenomenon that has gotten more and more media attention lately. I guess I'm fascinated by this issue on a number of levels: the spiritual, developmental and psychological, and cultural. Experientially, I know we're beginning to enter new parenting territory this year as our 5th grader and first child is changing quite perceptibly. I feel defensive of my children's childhood. Yet in so many ways in our culture, children are becoming so "sophistocated" so soon. My questions lie in the realm of "how much or what kind of change is appropriate and what are culturally pushed or market driven with all of the technological advances that children often have access to?" How do the appropriate changes of this age group take place in a Christ-centered life and way? Thoughts I'm chewing on...feel free to add to the conversation! |
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