Our Granddaughters Are Here
Summer is here.
Sofi 6 ½ yrs and Lila 7 yrs, cousins, are with us this week.
Horseback camp everyday from 8-12:30PM
On a ranch with a wild pig that thinks it is a dog, (raised from a tiny piglet), 3 dogs, goats with a baby one day old, 20+ horses and colts and opportunities to feed, pet, groom and care for. Class is small with the owner and instructor and her 10 yr old daughter. The most ideal setting I could imagine.
We moved here to Hidden Valley Lake to provide our grandchildren with opportunities to explore in a more natural setting and to experience swimming in a lake, seeing deer in their yard, having a garden and playing on a tire swing. Yes, as you might imagine, it gives me great delight. And yes, we love it too.
The vista of mountain, lake and blue sky with hot air balloons on the horizon all summer long. We are planning on living here full time in the near future, but for right now we have a tiny apartment in Walnut Creek two nights/week. This is where we minister to our Unity Center for Inspired Living. This is where we have two centers in which I counsel, coach and teach.
I wonder what the world would be if children grew up knowing the beauty of nature, the life cycle of plants and animals, the gift of vegetables from your own garden and how to live in harmony with all creatures. This week will be full of experiences, ie making your own sandwich for lunch, making a grocery list and going shopping, learning how to wash your own clothes, helping around the house by setting the table and cleaning up the dishes after a meal. They will be cooking and baking with both Grandpa and myself, playing card and board games, working on the computer, reading aloud to each other, making a journal of all they learn and see and so much more. They will be doing some chores to earn money which they can spend, save or give away to someone.
Are we giving our children the attention they need and the learning opportunities which benefit them?
Do we have time to show, share and teach them the basics of saving and spending, giving and receiving?
Are we polite and respectful with children and with others in our lives?
Do we realize that kids are watching their elders and learning from us how to be happy?
Some think summer requires money for vacations.
I know the summers I spent sewing, cooking, volunteering and doing special projects at home and locally were of great fun and benefit. I learned how to work with people, to watch and learn from others, to give my time where there was a need. I rarely watched TV because I was happy and busy living and giving.
We have so many parks, paths, waterways and opportunities to explore nature.
We have many people and places in which to volunteer…..you can take children to a local nursing home, to sing or hand out cookies or smile at someone who is in need of a little love.
Summer is here.
Why not take advantage of children being at home with no homework after school, to create activities and learning experiences that the whole family can enjoy. I also recommend spending quality time with each child, where you are simply talking and listening one on one. Give your children allowance, because they are part of the family. Encourage them happily to help and be happy with them for their help. Their attitude about helping comes from how it is presented and whether the parent is happy about doing chores.
Children learn to love or dislike helping from their parents attitude.
If chores seem like a punishment, children will feel punished.
If helping in your family feels like a privilege, children are eager to take on the responsibility.
Find what your child would like to learn or do and make it fun and give lots of praise.
Summer is meant to be fun for everyone!!
Loving all,
Betty Lue
Parents are copied by the children.
Adult behavior and attitude is the most powerful teaching.
Adults need to learn to be responsible happily!