May – Days to Commemorate
- Accountability
- Community
- Identity
- Remembrance and responsibility
How would that change the way we parent? The way they look at us and at their own accomplishments and challenges? Would that make our home more of a well-spring of life?
Gifts for the recital season reminded me of all the recitals, performances, and awards when my parents would be there with flowers, smiles, and hugs for when I didn’t do as well as I wanted. How do you celebrate achievements with your children?
How this quote on page 127 challenges me:
Jesus whispered this into my heart when I was a young mama: This child, whom I created, has special significance to Me. Will you take this child for My sake and show her the touch of the love of God, whisper the messages and truth of Scripture, teach her to have the Character of Christ in living and serving with integrity, and show her how to give her life to a world that is longing for redemption? Will you raise this precious gift I have given you for Me, as an act of worship?
So many times I become short tempered, or I unthinkingly put myself first, or I get wrapped up in the to-do’s along the way and forget to get that glass of water or stuffed animal, etc. I often forget that raising these precious gifts is an act of worship. Do you?
- What events can you turn into celebrations?
- How can you instill a sense of responsibility and accountability in your child now?
- How can we make visual reminders that this calling of motherhood is also an act of worship?
June – Times of Delight
It is a happy talent to know how to play. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Have you seen your own children act out a story they have heard? Recently we have been reading and listening to The Black Star of Kingston and The Green Ember. Hearing the boys act out parts of the story and create their own costumes from our dress up pile is such a joy. The creativity inspired in their play only fires their imaginations more.
As play develops children’s aptitude for creativity, they are rarely bored. We are edging closer and closer to screen free living here. We will most likely never be completely free, but we are pulled away more and more as we focus on creating a life-giving and life-building home for our family. Do you ever feel like screen time numbs our children and even ourselves?
Play is not just for children, either. Try living a whole day playing with your children without worrying about looking silly. Look at the world through their eyes and see the wonder of creation that we are so quick to push aside when we “grow up”. Our Creator made us for rejoicing in His gifts, and that’s really the beauty of childhood.
Tools for Fun
I enjoyed Sally’s list of activities, what would you add? I’ve included some of our favorites below.
- Building Blocks – LEGO Classic Creative Box and LEGO Historical and Fairy Tale Minifigures
- Puzzles – We love Tangram puzzles.
- Make-Believe – We collect pieces from thrift stores near Halloween for our dress up bin. Swords, capes, bad guys, etc. are made from things around the house.
- Game Nights – Robot Turtles, Blockus, and Uno are our favorites right now.
- The Great Outdoors – For ideas that are fun, I love the book Roots, Shoots, Buckets, and Boots.
- Travel Fun – Travel Games Pad and Little Children’s Travel Activity Book
- Fun with Performances, Plays, and Musicals – We go when we can, but we also have some delightful performances on DVD and CD at home. Investing in a good library of lovely performances is a great addition to your media collection.
- Making Time to Play – If you struggle with putting down the screens and walking away from “to-do’s”, then I recommend Hands Free Mama. It might just change your life.
How will you spend more intentional time with your family this year?
What can you let go so you have more time to play?
Are you willing to try just one day of putting everything else aside to re-learn how to play and wonder like a child?
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