My children don't like change. They want everything in their lives to stay the same. They want to live with Dear Man and me for forever, they like knowing exactly what is going to happen next. Not the minute by minute sort of thing, but the knowing that if there is a lot of snow, then we go to "Uncle" Ron's house to sled. On New Years Eve we take a nap and stay up late to eat fancy candy and drink sparkling cider. They don't want these things to change.
When we used to watch, "Zoom!" on the t.v. my four darlings would have a fit when new zoomers were added and the old ones had left. They would refuse to watch the program anymore. I tried to explain that the show was geared to a certain age level, from children of the same age level, but after hearing myself I decided it sounded like I believed in segregating classrooms by age.
If I make my Turkey pot pie without the stuffing on the top they are very disappointed. "That's the best part!" they wail. I tell them I felt like a little change and they fall to pieces. Only Dear Man can make sausage and rice because, "That's the way it's supposed to be."
This need for things to always be the same even comes down to my diet. I have been talking about getting back on track with my diet for my weight and health. (My diet helps me to lose weight but it also helps me get rid of numerous symptoms that have nothing to do with my weight itself. I think I'm allergic to wheat.) Once again, four unhappy children stood before me. Boy 1 exclaimed, "But I like you just the way you are!" and he threw his arms around my ample waist and gave me a big hug. "Yes, yes!" they all clamored. How nice! They don't care that I'm fluffy.
They are not ungrateful children, and they do understand emergencies. Dear Man and I keep our word as best we can, and we hold them to our expectations of Biblical standards. We are the same wherever we go, not just in how we dress and speak, but in how we treat others. Sometimes we mess up.
Keeping things the same gives a feeling of stability. Children like to be stable. In an ever changing world they need something to be always true. Teaching them about Jesus being a solid rock, and that He is the same yesterday, today and forever is the only sure thing they can come to expect. To not share this with them is to rob them of the Great Comfortor who will always be there for them, long after we parents are gone.
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Dec. 6, 2005
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Wow!!!
I didn't know that with my first child...but I've sure learned it since then! I'm amazed at how different we are with 3 kids than we were when we just had one. There is definitely a lot more routine around here...and I will not be taking the entire summer off like we did last year...my kids definitely function better with routine and consistency.