Encouragement For The Week
Try to put in the hearts of your children a love for home.
Make them long to be with their families.
So much sin could be avoided if our people really loved their homes.
Try to put in the hearts of your children a love for home.
Make them long to be with their families.
So much sin could be avoided if our people really loved their homes.
so beautiful.
Such a beautiful quote! I know this is the nature of your blog – but I would love to know your advice on how you would go about prioritizing home life within your children.
Hi Ashley-I have thought a lot about this-it's an art I think. It's about cultivating loving sibling and parental relationships (which seems frustrating at times growing up but talk to some friends and see who has it and who doesn't and why-I know some people say they fought like cats and dogs with a particular sibling but then are best friends today-it's interesting to "study") and also creating a comfortable home for kids to be at-NOT the party house (well for some maybe that works but I wouldn't want it!) but the house where the parents are friendly and there is good food and things to do-not fancy things but just something. I think at the basis of it is parents who want their kids to be around them and truly enjoy the kids and their friends-and also time alone as a family. As the kids grow and get older this changes also. Some of this (for us introverts) is learned behavior and sometimes it's out of our comfort zone. I also think a balance of home as "refuge" and "escape" and a place to have fun and socialize is what I will always strive for and push myself towards.
PS. Did this answer your question at all or did you want more specifics? I am working with a broad age group here so maybe that answer is way off!
Yes, that was very helpful! Thank you for your response Sarah! It seems like it is more about the relationships than the activities. The activities are a bonus when you enjoy spending time together! And making a refuge for your family to come home to is so important. It actually sounds quite simple when you think about it yet we still often over-complicate it with activities and expectations! I really appreciate your ability to keep that focus on your family and home life first. It is always such an encouraging reminder to me! So thank you!
I was thinking about this after answering your question-I have a friend who is one of 8. His mom is beloved by many-I mean almost worshipped as a mom in the way she dealt with things and raised her kids. One thing I heard about her from her niece-she always was interested in her-even though she had all those kids and a million things to do, she would say to her niece-"Come in and have a seat and tell me what you are doing now." She wanted to listen to her-even when she was five, or sixteen, or 40-what she had to say mattered to this special woman-she wasn't too busy or disinterested to make every person feel interesting. Her home was (and is) a place where people gravitate to.
I love that and hope that of myself as well. I am often one who tends to always be doing. I suppose I want to strive to have less to do so I can allow myself to stop and be present when the opportunity arises!
What a great discussion. Wise words! Thank you for sharing!
I love the quote – but I love the comments even more! Thanks for advice, Sarah!