Blogs by Rita P Hestand
Going back to the family table
9/19/2004 12:32:05 AM
Parents, there is a way for you to find out more about your children, their activities, and their problems. And the solution isn't hard. It merely involves going back to the family table.
I've been a babysitter for over 15 years. I helped raise my grandchildren. And it's not an easy job as some might think.
The problems of today's children though lies in a couple of simple things that we as modern, sophisticated people
overlook. For one, our kids are eating fast food, junk food and not the right kinds of food to feed their brains.
Why, because life is more than a little hectic these days with both mom and dad working, and the kids having just as hectic a schedule as their parents, talking is a thing of the past.
The solution is simple...and yet, it seems to be hard for the average family to sit down at a dinner table and have a meal together.
Don't blame Mom for everything either. Mom's have a lot on their plates these days. They help make the living, help or do all the transporting of kids back and forth,
keep house, pay bills, and literally fight city hall.
However, if we all could go back to the days when Mom stayed home, cooked a generous meal, and everyone joined together at the family table, we might begin to see where things are going wrong today.
What's so special about a table? It's quite possibly the only time "everyone" gets together in one place and can join in conversation that is meaningful.
How can we change things? I think slowing down is a key.
Cut out some of the extra ciricular activities, stay home, especially at mealtime. And by all means...talk to your childrenand even more importantly, listen.
Ask them how thier day went. It shows you care. Ask them if they had any problems and help them sort them out as best you can. Bring up good things that happened in the day. Give them all something to be happy about. But allow them the privilege of confession, confusion, and general
talk.
Ask them about their friends, this way you can keep in touch with who they run around with all day. Ask them about their school, and school functions. Show your interest in your kids. They want your attention, give it freely.
Have a nice friendly meal together. Take strides to keep the conversation flowing and interesting. But be sure and listen for problems.
People now days eat on the go. My husband phoned me the other night and jokingly said he was "combing his hair, eating a sandwich and talking on the phone" while driving.
Does this give you the picture? We need to slow down, go back to some of the old values and morals.
If you don't want your kids on drugs, in gangs, or simply getting into mischief, be more a part of their lives. Pay attention to what they say. Watch for warning signs of dangers.
Teach your children respect...for others, for property, for life. Teach them dicipline, for safety, for building
character.
And you might be surprised all the things you can learn about your own children at the family table.
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More Blogs by Rita P Hestand
• Runaway Bride is Out and it's different! - Monday, September 07, 2009
• Getting through the rough stuff - Saturday, March 14, 2009
• RAting the books - Sunday, December 14, 2008
• Fighting City Hall - Friday, November 05, 2004
• Going back to the family table - Sunday, September 19, 2004
• Ebooks, why switch? - Saturday, September 11, 2004
• Politically Speaking? - Monday, September 06, 2004
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