next day’s morning show on the radio. The DJ shared she had already heard “I’m bored” more times than she would like to and it was only one week into summer vacation. She promised to share some summer sanity savers the next day.
I didn’t tune in the next day to hear the list, but I do have one
summer sanity saver that I would like to share. My tip is less entertainment and more work!
This is not work as punishment for not being content, rather work
as help toward the smooth running of the family. God has created us to work six days and rest on the seventh. The idea of three months without work is not a good one. As the DJ experienced, a child with too much free time quickly becomes bored.
Freedom isn’t free. This is so true for our country, but it is
also best with our children. Freedom is only appreciated when it is earned. There is great satisfaction in working hard in the morning with anticipation of going swimming in the afternoon. After sweating pulling weeds and seeing the progress of the work, there is sweetness to swimming that is not there without the work first.
If children have been allowed to view summer vacation as their
right, this adding of work and chores may not taste sweet at first. But, God knows what is best for us and He has said, “It is good for a man to learn to work hard in his youth.” Lam 3:27. Not only does work make free time sweeter, it also builds unity in the family.
Once children realize their work helps with the smooth running of
the family, they will embrace this important role they hold. Verbalize the value they bring and how grateful you are for their service. Another tip regarding work is to do as much side by side as possible. Isolation in work can be frustrating, but if the family is all working together there is opportunity for conversation and laughs.
Want a summer sanity saver? Train children to work hard.