I was just browsing some blogs (I am new here!) and ran across one at Celebrating Each Day and below is the comment I posted. It was long, so I decided it would be my blog today!!
If I had it to do over again...
This is probably the most important thing to realize in our families and society. Children need and really WANT their parents around. Even children who are "supervised" all day miss out. My children are 25, 23,and 19 and if I had it to do all over again (oh, how I wish I did sometimes!!) there are several things that I certainly would do differently. I did homeschool, but my girls (the 2 oldest) were a bit older when we started). My son was homeschooled since 2nd grade and though he has some quirks and difficulties he has had the least problems in the teen years.
What I would do differently
1) NO SLEEPOVERS!!!
2) NO YOUTH GROUP(unless I was involved, which I was quite often- chaperone, etc)
3) NO DATING (groups of friends only)
3) NO PUBLIC SCHOOL whatsoever. I saw a BIG difference in my children when they went to school. Also, in the older years- you wouldn't believe what goes on!!)
4) More family activity
5) Basically, I wouldn't let them out of my sight. I thought I was a pretty good parent only to find out you can't let your guard down for a minute. No matter what, don't trust any other parent with your child in overnight situations. I got caught in the trap of letting my daughter spend the night with church friends- I was burned a couple of times. I did have the problem that my husband and I weren't always on the same page and sometimes he thought I was too overprotective, but when I wasn't is when things occur that are regretful.
Just thought I would pass that on if anyone is researching this. Another word- when the moms went to work is when all you know what has broken loose. I fought tooth and nail to stay home and I was able to pretty much while my kids were growing up, even though we didn't have much money. Work is a burden and it gets in the way of being a mom. I did work partime at some undesirable jobs just because the hours fit so I could be home. I do feel for the single mom, they don't have a lot of choice, but I really feel that most working moms do have a choice and the best choice, unfortunately, doesn't last too long and then like I said, regret occurs.
Off my soapbox!!
Dawn
Comments
Wednesday, August 22, 2007 - Welcome and Thanks
Posted by Patti
Welcome to Homestead Blogger. This is a great little blogging community, and I am sure that you will LOVE being here. A word of caution, though. It is all too easy to hang out in blogville more than you can actually afford to do. So, set a timer or something; otherwise, you will enjoy reading blogs for well over an hour. I know, that has happened to me!
Thanks for this great comment that you left on my blog. It really is SO true that we need to tighten the reins and to shelter our children more. We do not do youth group, and I listened to a fabulous CD message from Pastor Voddie Bauchum (out of Houston) called the Centrality of the Home in the Discipleship and Evangelism of the next Generation. That message (available from Vision Forum) cemented our decision to not have our children in youth group. It is hard, because we are generally the only family in the church that isn't involved, but...we are standing firm on this.
We have done sleepovers in the past, but no more. We are not comfortable with them, so we will listen to that still, small voice that is warning us to stop them. Overprotected? Maybe. But listening to those like you who have already walked the road and see things they would do differently is all the encouragement I need.
I heard a Focus on the Family minute yesterday, and it shocked me. DR. Dobson was actually saying that nursery school is a good idea for children. My thought....children don't need to be around a bunch of immature, selfish 3 and 4 year olds. What they need is to be around their parents----Their mothers, especially.
I agree that removing the mother from the home was when it all broke loose. However, I think the Industrial Revolution when Daddy left home instead of working his farm or foundry was a bad thing as well. Then the patriarch of the home was gone!
Finally, I see by your profile that you live in Clearwater, Florida. I have been there MANY times. We used to live in the Orlando area. We moved to Idaho in 2000. The Gulf coast beaches were always our favorite, and Clearwater BEach was our favorite place to go. Did you ever eat at Frenchy's Madalay Seafood? Oh, yum!!!
Nice to meet you. I will look forward to getting to know you.
Blessings,
Patti
Edited by Patti on Wednesday, August 22, 2007 at 05:51