Whoever said opposites attract certainly didn't raise kids! It is amazing how many times in the course of a day I find myself gritting my teeth because one of my kids (who will remain nameless) does something so out of my comprehension. It is not that this child is just young - it is that their entire mindset, approach, and way of doing things runs so completely in opposition to myself that it is inevitable that conflict arises!
One of these areas lately has been in my pursuit of moderation. We live in a culture of excess and I have been deliberately trying to teach and convey to my children that just because there IS more doesn't give us a right to pursue more. If we live and have ENOUGH then we can be satisfied. But how does one really teach contentment? What does it take to form a heart that bears responsibility for the things of life when everywhere around you our culture screams MORE. This is one of the reasons why I enjoy canning so much. While we are a long ways away from achieving self sufficiency in the complete year round sense there is a different mindset that can be developed when you see your food put away for the winter. You rely on what you grow and you see day by day, week by week the emptying of your cellar. Meanwhile at lunch, I cringe at the sight of 1/2 cup of ranch dressing being poured alongside a few carrot sticks. It's a work in progress... How do you teach contentment? What are the dangers of living in a culture of excess? What are the benefits? How do these influences affect the way we approach our children? Our homes? Our marriages? For a more expanded look into this topic check out Jean Illsey Clarke's book - How Much is Enough:Everything You Need to Know to Steer Clear of Overindulgence and Raise Likeable, Responsible and Respectful Children. See https://www.amazon.com/How-Much-Enough-Overindulgence-Responsible/dp/1569244375
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AuthorJeremy David Freeman lives in Minnesota with his wife Sarah. They have six kids (Adelynn, Peter, Benjamin, Paul, Mark and Samuel) and together enjoy the simple things of life: gardening, writing, sewing, baking and woodworking. Archives
April 2024
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