Bingo. Just, bingo. Okay, in our house we have already started the process of learning life stuff like cooking, cleaning, and doing one’s own laundry, because, let’s face it, Home Economics does not cover everything. Not by a long shot. But when it comes to boredom, one thing Dwight will always say to them is, “If you’re bored, you’re a boring person, so find something to do.” I, being a mom, use the other unique tactic of, “Oh, really, you’re bored? Okay, can you go rake out the leaves under those three windows? It should only take about an hour or two.” Of course by now they know I am not asking them, I am simply being a kind mother concerned for their overwhelming burden of boredom.
Yeah, that’s how I roll.
Life is not about always being in fun mode, folks, so the sooner you learn this, the better. Work first, play after is another often-used expression in our home. When they are little, we make games out of chores they are learning, but there comes a time when they need to do chores simply because they’ve got to, and, well, none of it is fun, but it necessary to the running of a household. Parents, their future roommates and spouses will appreciate all the investing you have put into making them a productive and independent citizen, so make ‘em do it even if they don’t want to. Because in the long run, it will all be worth it.
I saw this quote on Twitter the other day, and it goes hand-in-hand with the whole fun, bored, purpose in life issue kids deal with:
“Our children need to have a purpose bigger than their needs & wants. If they don’t, their needs & wants will become their purpose.” – Michael W. Nelson II
This is so true in todays’ society. How many parents run themselves ragged and dig deep financial pits trying to meet every want of their children? Huh? I saw a young person recently say they’d be the last person on the planet to get an iOS7. So what? When did it become a parent’s job to fulfill every want and whim of their children? That sounds more like the job of a genie, not a parent who wants to instill a purpose of following Christ and being a responsible adult. This purpose calls for us to deny–not indulge–ourselves. It also sets children up for failure because they will expect their future spouse to fulfil every whim and that is not realistic nor is it Biblical teaching of how to manage money. We are not called to store up treasures on earth. We are not supposed to do everything our friends/neighbors/colleagues do.
God bless,
Rebecca
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6
Photo credit: Raising Godly Children
