Simply Staying at Home
One of the tricks of holding a family together is simply staying at home. We have often been told by our prophets, “The greatest…work you will ever do is within the walls of your own home.” (President Harold B. Lee) We most likely won’t accomplish this great work if we are rarely within the walls of the home.
During a crazy season of my motherhood it seemed I was living in our van. We wanted our children to be involved in music lessons, sports, clubs, talent development classes, etc. It seemed I spent all my time rushing from one activity to another. Meals were bought quickly in between appointments. They weren’t very nutritious or easy on our budget. In fact, our budget was already strained because of all the extracurricular activities. Even though I was supporting my children by attending their events, I didn’t feel I had the opportunity to just be close to them. Home had become a pit stop not a heaven on earth. Something had to change!
Our family tried an experiment! We were going to have a season of NO extra-curricular activities!
At first there were grumbles of not being on the soccer team and missing friends; however, we went ahead. Changes occurred rapidly!
We ate at home together every night. We had time to bake bread and cook together. This alone opened a wonderful opportunity for conversation and skill development. Our diets became much more healthful. We even had time for walks together after dinner.
Our whole family was more relaxed and less grouchy. We had time to play games together, read with each other, and cuddle little ones. My husband and I really talked together instead of just coordinating schedules. Our friendship deepened and our love grew stronger. Yells to hurry were replaced with laughing, even singing.
Financially things improved. We saved significantly on gas and food. We also eliminated all the expense of the lessons, uniforms, fees, and equipment. Living in our means became possible.
The noise of the world was quieted. Family home evenings were longer, better prepared, and more enjoyable for all. Scripture time wasn’t stuffed in at the end of the day. We had time to really discuss the gospel. We felt we were teaching our children of their worth in the home and the importance of the family. The experiment had truly changed our home into a heaven on earth!
Ask yourself some questions. Do you eat dinner together at home at least 5 times a week? Do you have time to read to your children and really get into the book? Do you have time to just listen to your kids ramble? Do you feel uptight and stressed most or all of the time? Do you yell at your kids to hurry ? Do you spend unrushed one-on-one time with each of your children and your husband at least once a week? Are you teaching your children that their worth and purpose of life is outside the home? Just being together is so important!!!
It’s okay to have seasons of NO extra-curricular activities! It’s okay to say, “We aren’t playing with friends or going anywhere today or this week!” It’s okay to stay home and make cookies or dinner together. It’s okay to build a fire and roast hot dogs and tell stories in the backyard.
Of course, some extracurricular activities can be beneficial. We have found we have to be very careful in selecting our activities. We try to keep it very simple. The most important activities happen in the home. President David O. McKay said, “No other success can compensate for failure in the home.” We don’t feel like we are depriving our children. We are giving them what is most important, a together family!
Whenever we start to feel rushed or like home has become a pit stop we take a serious look at our choices. Sometimes we just decrease outside activities and simplify. Other times we eliminate them all together for a season and just enjoy simply staying at home.
chapt� � 9 s �l� 8�� ing-our-families?lang=eng#3#3">
3
No comments:
Post a Comment