I have 6 kids here today.
I should be looking after them right? tee he he! They all are entertaining each other at the moment. I can see a few on the tramp outside my window, can hear some playing Mario Kart on the Wii, and my littlest is beside me here on the floor playing.
I do love the school holidays. I know a lot of mums can't wait for them to be over, and at times they ARE testing, but I actually enjoy seeing how my kids are growing and developing. Especially when I have other kids here.
We spend so much time teaching them the right way to be and treat others - so I love when other kids come over to see if those lessons are really sinking in - or just surface.
Take sharing for example. It's against our nature to share. That is putting others before ourselves. You just need to see two babies with one awesome toy to see that it is normal human nature to put oneself before others right?
And so, most of us parents have to teach our kids to share. It hurts when young, doesn't feel right... but eventually the lesson (hopefully) sinks in! Otherwise they will learn the hard way and that, I believe, would hurt so much more from those who don't love them as much as I do.
I try hard to raise kids who are learning the 'why' in the wrong and then knowing they have a choice. I won't always be there to punish or teach them (like when they are in school) and so I cherish holidays when I get the chance to observe and guide.
This is the same as we are older too. Can you hear that inner voice??
"Ahh, think about what you are about to say"
"Umm, should you eat that extra chocolate?"
"Is there something better than TV you could be doing right now?"
"You should call them, see if they were upset by what you said...."
You hear it. And can easily ignore it. But I guess we aren't really learning then right? It's just surface for us. Face value. If we only diet when people are looking, it doesn't benifit right? Only read our Bible when people see? Only pray when in public??
The sermon on the mount in Matthew 6 tells us over and over again that only our Father in Heaven sees what is done in secret and He will reward you.
Oh, how proud I am as a parent when I see my kids doing what is right when they think I am not looking! Even when it doesn't feel nice to themselves. Not just cause they should - but because they know it is what is right.
Today, many times, my kids have made me proud. Provers 23:12-26
xK
