Who are You? and Where's my Life?

Battle Star Ship

Church, Work, Dinner, Driving, Meetings, practice, More Work. Sometimes I feel like I am a spectator in my own life. Everything is moving at FTL speed (for non science geek people that means Faster Than Light) and I am desperately trying to get it to slow down or not be so predictable. Now-a-days families have their lives planned out weeks in advance. I am the kind of person that goes crazy when every week seems like a copy of the next. Sooner or later I crack like an egg and have to do something spontaneous. That's right Maggie (my three year old daughter) I don't care if it is midnight... get in the car we are going to get some ice cream.

I work for an after school program and I see the same 16 students every week being thrown into every sport, dance class, and chorus program their parents can put them in. Most of the time the students are so exhausted that by Friday they want to pass out on the floor and beg for a pillow. For families, life can easily become so fast paced that all your time is spent getting your kids ready for their games, and asking the same "How was school?" question that all kids answer with a generic "Fine."  STOP! Your kids don't have to do everything. My husband is a Youth Pastor and we both can't stand sports season because all of our students drop out like flies.

One of the most important things for kids and families is to spend quality time with one another. Every week should have multiple family time slots. Don't let your family get left in the dust. Like all relationships, including martial ones, require effort, time, and sacrifice. My Pastor always says that kids spell love
T-I-M-E. and that is completely true. Get to know your kids and what makes them amazing and unique. Be spontaneous and have fun.

Here is a website with good questions to ask your kids while playing games or getting ice cream at midnight ;) Asking tough questions or engaging your kids is easier when they are doing something, it helps bring their guard down. http://www.parentcoachplan.com/family_topics.php