The Thinking Well

Apr. 1, 2008

Just Wondering

For a couple of years now, I've been thinking a lot more about how we raise our kids - even Christian parents who mean well. The particular thought I'm thinking about is all the activities we put our kids into. Everyone is rushing from here to there, from sports to art to music... Is this the right thing to do? On the one hand, I want my kids to experience a variety of different things in life. But on the other hand, I wonder if we haven't become a child-centered society (at least in this respect). Should we spend all our time divided rushing from one activity to another? What happened to family? What happened to supporting the husband in his endeavors and GOD-called ministry? With Eddie being out of work for a year and being pregnant before and in the midst of that, I've had a lot of time to think about it. We pulled them out of all their activities (ones we paid for - which really was only activity) since I had a hard time walking and then he lost his job. Before that, the dance class all 3 attended stopped having classes, and I found no other studio that taught the way she did, so I gave up that option. We took art for a year, and previously before that, they had tried piano. Add to the mix that everyone wants you to commit to their program and keep it up, and the slots fill quickly. I endured quite a negative reaction when I pulled them out of one activity after a year. Wow! I wasn't expecting that. I have always felt that we should experiment around until they found something they really loved and had talent at. I didn't realize I was "committing them for life"! Anyway, the time has come to reenter that world of activities. I don't want to overbook, but I would like for them to try something out. Something that would prepare them for use in GOD's Kingdom. I've been thinking of theater. However, now, they each want to do separate activities; we've always done them all in one activity before. One wants to do gymnastics, but the seriousness and competition required in that at their age makes me hesitant. One wants to do piano again. Does the other want to do dance??? I've lost my mind! LORD, show me what to do! YOU know, too , how fast things fill up! What's your opinion about this?? I'd love to hear it.

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