Good Samaritans Make Packages for the Home-less

Good Samaritans Make Packages for the Home-less

The Work Ethic: How to Pass It On

As children get older, it's important to discuss the meaning and purpose of diligent efforts. Make it clear that jobs are not done for drudgery's sake, but to create value, make a profit, or serve people, or even a greater good. Kids need to learn that there is a purpose to all of this -- that doing a job well makes one a better person and enhances character and value in others’ eyes, and in God’s eyes. One way parents can start this discussion with their kids is by sharing their own work experiences -- good and bad -- and talk about the lessons learned and how they were shaped by those experiences.  If parents can show kids how work contributes to the family's well-being, children will be more positive about chores

My Mother made a to-do list of daily or weekly household jobs and posted it on the Kitchen wall.  We did not have choices, we HAD to do what was assigned, or there would be a price to pay.  In our home, we don't let the kids opt out. But giving kids a choice of chores does help make work more tolerable.  Adding incentives can sometimes actually make work fun.

Contests –( i.e.,  for Fastest Room-Cleaner or Best at Vacuuming) -- get kids more involved, as do rewards.  Going out to a favorite park or restaurant, renting a movie, or inviting friends for sleepovers are just a few ways that parents can reward hard work.

 

In real life, work isn't always fun -- sometimes the boss isn't fair, customers are rude, and hours at work seem to drag by. Expect kids to complain a bit about their jobs. Let them vent -- in fact, encourage it. After all, adults sometimes gripe about their jobs too. But be ready to offer encouragement, and let the children know that hard work isn’t always supposed to be great fun, or even enjoyable, although it can be enjoyable!

Kids learn good work habits when the parents walk the walk. That means showing kids that work is part of a balanced, healthy life. For example, in our family, we have taken on second jobs, worked overtime, and even worked for free at times in our lives.  Our son has observed these times, and has discovered that doing extra work to get ahead sometimes can be beneficial, if it does not take priority over the family consistently.  We talk regularly about chosing a career or life work that you love.  We talk about education, earning potential in certain jobs, and about improving your life through work choices.  We are sure to emphasize that it is NOT always about making The Most Money, or about Buying Things.  But the fact is that at least one person in our son’s future family will need to earn an income, so we want him to be clear on the options. 

Kids will not always do their tasks well. But we muxt resist the urge to step in and take over. If the child fails to water the plant, it may be helpful in the longrun to let it wilt. If children have trouble on a job (or even get fired)  because they fail to show up on time or do the job correctly, don't make excuses for them. Let them learn that their actions or inactions have consequences. Talk about what happened, and ask them what they can do to keep from repeating the mistake.

Stealing Precious Moments...

Lord, teach me to embrace wild-eyed days like this with your gentle grace

 and understanding

that you ordain every step of my path and moment of my day.

Help me to set aside the anxiousness and

 falling into a frenzy

 and the stress that results from leaning on myself

 and not You.

Every Home Needs a Doll or Two

I have a friend who agrees with me that a Home is not complete without a Doll. 

 

In High School, I handcrafted pillows and stuffed animals for all of my relatives and friends, so recently,

I tried my hand at Doll Making. 

This Bunny was purchased 25 years ago
as I gathered
items for our home
as a new bride.
He still brings me joy, and
gives the warmest hugs!

God has plans - not problems - for our lives.

"Before she died in the concentration camp in Ravensbrück, my sister Betsie said to me, “Corrie, your whole life has been a training for the work you are doing here in prison - and for the work you will do afterward.”

~ Corrie Ten Boom

I work for a King.

"I work for a King. He has put me in charge of his home.

When He comes to see how I have managed His possessions and His children, I do not want to be found wanting.

 I want to do my best. Everything I have is on loan from Him. I have room and board and a job to do, but it is all for Him.

Therefore I want to dress my best and do my best in all my work. I also want to be creative, for this is a sincere attempt to glorify Him and His beautiful creation.

 How I manage my home is a form of worship to Him."

--Lydia Sherman

The Vintage in my Garden...

From nozzles and shears, 

 to watering cans, I can't resist any vintage item

of a gardener's tool box!    

I not only collect old garden accoutrements--

I use them, too. 

My Garden is for the children, and also for my future grandchildren, I hope.  I think that the earlier one learns to garden, the more pleasure one gleans from life!





My little paradise has a definite whimsical side.  There are intricate folk art birdhouses tucked here and there, and rabbit figurines, along with frog statues.

 When he was little, I taught my son to plant seedlings and prepare the soil.  Now he knows how important it is not to step on the little sprouts striving to live.


 Next Spring I plan to start a "Tee Pee of Peas" with Bamboo rods for children-hiding from the sun, or playing in with family, or friends during play dates.

  The children get such pleasure from picking the corn, peas & tomatoes, and tasting them.

 The highpoint of any visit in the garden is

when I distribute the garden scissors

and invite the little ones to cut their own flowers,

 and then arrange them

in vases on the covered porch. 

 I don't worry that the blooms will be depleted, because cutting my flowers only causes more to bloom!

Genesis 1:29 -

And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed,

which [is] upon the face of all the earth, and every tree,

in the which [is] the fruit of a tree yielding seed;

to you it shall be for meat.