| Laziness Develops Through Childhood |
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As parents we need to be deliberate and intentional in building positive attributes in our children. Benjamin Franklin once said, “Up, sluggard, and waste not life; in the grave will be sleeping enough.” Life is so short. Couch potato dads beware! You are setting the tone and example for your children. This week I want to talk man-to-man. There is nothing wrong with ‘vegging out’ in front of TV when you are exhausted from a hard day’s work or watching a special sport. When there is dust on you because you have been sitting there too long and your wife comes along with a feather duster and an anti-static spray to wipe you down, you know you have been sitting there far too long. Guys, it is time to get out there and help change people’s lives and circumstances. When you get to the end of your life will you be able to look back and say? “I know why God put me here on earth and, with this knowledge, I am going to make a difference.” When you pass on, what would you like people to say about you? Will you at Heaven’s gate be able to quote all the baseball, football or basketball statistics and feel content with that? I love sport, but I don’t think my destiny is to watch it at the expense of my family and community. Balance is required. In a family where both husband and wife have employment, we need to do an equal share of the work. Where are our calluses, on our backside or on our hands and feet? Both indolence and industriousness are catchy and the fastest ones to catch on to them are our children. We need to set a great example. We also need to instruct our children to be active in work and play, not just sit around feeling bored. We need to teach them how to play. We need to provide the area and objects to allow them to be creative. We need to involve them in the process of family life and chores. This is easier said than done, right? It requires forethought and planning. You do not have to yield to the blackmail of always having to take your children out in order to keep them occupied. It doesn’t have to cost you anything either. If you live in an apartment or on a property that requires minimum maintenance, and you have vehicles that run well, then set goals as to what you can do to spend quantity and quality time with your family. What can you do to enhance the unity within your family, and what can you provide in the way of opportunities for them to grow as people? If we own our own property there are always plenty of tasks and chores for our children to participate in. We men need to take a lead. As one who has married children, you are going to have to believe me when I say that we don’t have our children very long. We can never regain any lost or squandered time. Neither can we easily build relationships with our children in their teenage years if we did not do that in their earlier life. Time spent with our spouse and our children have amazing dividends. Time wasted will amass great losses. Date your wife on a weekly basis, then try dating each of your children separately and use that time to build strong ties. Allow them time to tell you what’s going on in their lives, what their thoughts and interests are. Don’t let it be a negative time in any way. A corporate CEO was speaking to a group of up-and-coming young buck executives. He said to them in a training session, “I know some of you would love my job and the money and privilege that goes with it. I was at my daughter’s wedding this past Saturday and I suddenly realized that I did not know my daughter’s friends. I did not know her favorite color. In fact, I did not really know her. If that is what this job does to a person then you are welcome to take it.” Men, be encouraged. Let’s build positive, lasting relationships with our spouse and our children. It will cost you more not to give your effort and time, and it is so worthwhile! |
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WHOSE WILL WINS?
BLENDED FAMILIES:
PARENT OR PAL?
