Weekly Column by Dixie: From My Window

FROM MY WINDOW

Introduction

   This column will include suggestions and ideas from my point of view and my experience.  Each of us has the gift of personal revelation for our stewardships.  Through prayer and contemplation we can individually determine just what Heavenly Father will have us do.

New Beginnings Are Not Just for Young Women

   What a great time of year!  I love spring.  The anticipation of the last day of school has never ceased to excite me, even though my children are grown and gone.  As children, we eagerly awaited our “barefoot days,” only wearing shoes when we went to town or church.  Summer days were filled with horseback riding, making mud pies and playing in—and under--the giant oaks that surrounded my childhood home.

       When our children were in school, it was always such a relief to be free of the stresses associated with homework, deadlines, tests, rigid schedules and always having enough clean socks—that matched.

        As I see mothers in our ward who will have lots of precious time with their children for the next few months, I’d like to offer a few suggestions:

• Before the summer is in full swing, think about your vision of this time off—and make some notes.  When school starts in the fall do you want to see many finished projects, children who are well-rested and relaxed, and/or deepened relationships with each child?  What does your perfect summer look like?
• How will you achieve your vision?  Do your children need to improve reading skills, learn to cook or sew, become more physically fit, learn to work?  How will you schedule time to help them accomplish these goals?  What materials and supplies will you need—simple recipes, library cards, fabric, charts, calendars, jump ropes, bikes?  What’s the most economical way to obtain these?
• Time alone—even just a few minutes--with each child pays huge rewards. When I had challenges with children, such as, picking on siblings, reluctance to cooperate in the family, discouragement, feeling like they had no friends, etc., the issue was almost always resolved by spending a little one-on-one time.  Some will need more of your time than others.
• How will you schedule chore time?  Set deadlines? How flexible will you need to be with teenagers’ schedules? Will you offer rewards for a week of good performance, (ice cream, field trips, bike rides, trips to the pool or park?)  What works—job charts, job jars, weekly rotations, etc.?

Each of you is entitled to inspiration for your stewardship.  Your children are so blessed to have such great mothers.  I’m excited to see just what you come up with and to hear of your challenges and successes.

A Great Way to Start the Summer

(a few more specifics on how to execute the plan introduced in the first column)

    Families can enhance the quality of the summer vacation experience by doing a little pre-planning.  After parents have discussed what they would like to have happen when school ends, a planning activity with the children will be fun.

  Shortly after the last bell rings, or at summer’s first Family Home Evening, sit down with your children and serve a fun treat: ice cream, banana splits, caramel corn, cupcakes—something that can become a tradition—then discuss your plan and have them express ideas and opinions.

   They would be thrilled with the suggestion that each gets to have a special adventure with Mom at least once during the summer. The number of times you schedule with each child will probably be determined by the number of children and/or your available time.

   Some may need help in choosing this activity.  Possibilities are: bike rides, trip to the zoo, park, pool or museum, hiking, going out for ice cream, bowling, hiking, shopping for supplies for a special project, or reading a favorite book together in a quiet, non-traditional place, i.e. the temple grounds, up in the canyon, in the quiet of grandparents’ back yard.  Just use your imagination.  Have them write this down.

   After this activity, discuss chores and rules.  Find out who prefers what tasks and try to accommodate.  Will there be a reward system?  What are the rules for having friends over to play and playing at friends’ homes? When is nap--or mandatory rest-- time?

   What’s your dinner hour, when you expect everyone to be home?  Will each take a turn in planning and cooking, or helping you, cook dinner?  Which days are best for each child, considering schedules—Mutual, Achievement Days, Cub Scouts, piano lessons, etc.?

  What will happen at bedtime?  Will you take turns choosing what to read and who will read?  How many minutes each night will you devote?

  Will your scripture-reading schedule change?

  Talk about goals.  Some children may know right away what they would like to achieve this summer, but others will need a while to think about it.

   Even though it is vacation time, everyone benefits from a little structure.  Your family plan will be individualized.  Through prayer you will know just what works best for you.  Heavenly Father wants us to have success and joy in our families.

D. Baker

Copyright 2010