Families Are Too Crazy Busy!

And speaking of busyness...
After yesterday's post entitled, "Slow Down This Summer," you're really going to think I've gotten up on my soapbox today.  But, I do think families are way too busy these days.  Don't you agree?


Lest you think I'm advocating slothfulness, please read this (one of my earlier posts), entitled "Work is Not a 4-letter Word."  I really don't think it's good old-fashioned work which is keeping most families too busy these days.  No, it's ...well:
Programs.  Lessons.  Appointments.
Friends.  Practices.  Part-time Jobs.
Games.  Errands.  Parties and Plays.
To name a few.


"Ode to The Busy Family"
(We Have Too Many Choices,
Though Some Should Be No-brainers):
Wrestling, Racquetball, Gymnastics and Ballet
Basketball, Baseball, Softball, and Pair-Skating?
Football,  Soccer, Volleyball and Hockey,
I haven't listed half the sports, and yet there's way too many!


Swimming, Diving, Track and Field, and Tennis,
It's impossible to list them all, I'm sure that I will miss.
Judo, Karate, dare I mention Yoga, too:
Is there really nothing that the Christian Homeschooler won't do?


If one instrument is good, then three must be better!
Clarinet, Trumpet, Flute and Alto Sax,
Banjo, Mandolin, Guitar, and Ukelele!
Piano, Violin, Cello, Bass and French Horn
Don't forget the drums--you can drive your mom crazy!


I'm writing this to the Homeschooling Mom, but it starts way earlier than school-age!  You set your children up to expect a certain rhythm in life from a very young age.


Do you feel like you're spending your life behind the wheel of your vehicle?  Or maybe getting in and out of it!  Does your baby or toddler usually nap in his/her carseat?  Do the drive-through employees at your favorite fast-food restaurant greet you like an old friend and call you by name?  Do you wonder why they call it Homeschooling? As a Homeschool mom, have you mastered the art of "School on the Road"?  Are you tired of it all yet?


Beware:

• Of commitments to more than one night a week for children up until junior high and even after that.
• Of commitments which are individual and split your family up, making you, your husband, and your children all go in different directions.
• Of anything that keeps you from sitting down together for supper.

You don't need it.  The family is being destroyed.  By good things.  Say "No."  Make Hard Choices.


Now, what will you do with all that TIME you'll now have at Home Together?!


Helpful Hints
Learn skills:  Build something, repair, make or refinish.
Paint, upkeep your home, design and put in Landscaping

Work Together as a Family

Hobbies that Create Something Useful:
Cooking, Sewing, Knitting, and Crocheting
Making Greeting Cards, Handwork and Gardening


Games That Involve, or can be played by, all ages (And/or Teach):
Mini golf, Croquet, Badminton, Bowling


Board Games that Involve, or can be played by, all ages:
Monopoly, Game of Life, Parcheesi, Uno, Sorry, Chutes and Ladders, Yahtzee


Trend Games:
Matching game
States and Capitals


Outside Group Games:
Bocce Ball, Flashlight Tag


Activities:
Biking, Walking


Say "No" to a lot of "good things" and get to know your family again.  Get to know your Lord again.  Find out what He wants your family to be doing.  Don't sacrifice the "best" on the altar of "good."

P.S.  Rereading my post this morning, I realize that it is incomplete, in the sense that I included not a word from The Word.  Also, to some of you, it may sound terribly out of touch, and "anti-sports"--well, I am pretty much against sports, especially team sports, as I think they've robbed families and not given them very much back.  But, I do see a need for less "ranting" on my part, and more "real instruction," so I will try to give a more Biblical answer to this issue some time in the near future.