"Live a balanced life – learn some and think some
and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.” Robert Fulghum, author of All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten
Fulghum’s advice is one of my favorites – for moms and their children.
It’s so easy for life to become unbalanced. We give too much credence to school or sports, or we get lazy and just let life happen, and things get out of balance.
Take a look at your children. Do they:
Learn
Think
Draw, paint, dance, sing
Play and
Work?
You may be thinking, “Kids? Think?” Sure! But they need time to do that. Quiet, alone, contemplative time. Time with the television off. Encourage them to talk about what they’re thinking about. Ask open-ended questions.
And you may ask, “Work? Kids?” Of course. Kids need age-appropriate responsibility. Do yours have jobs, chores, responsibilities? They help the family and help themselves at the same time. Work with them. Fix something, plant something, rake leaves, box something up…show them the satisfaction that comes from accomplishing a task.
And what about you?
Yes, just you.
Do you take any time – by yourself – to:
Learn
Think
Draw, paint, dance, sing
Play and
Work?
Try it. Feed all the facets of your life. Balance things out. You'll be better for it.
What do you do to provide balance in your – and your children’s – life?
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7 comments:
Love this quote!
Yes, feeding all the facets of my life is important, but sometimes just when I feel as if I've really got things balanced out, I see the scale is off and too much time and energy is going to _____________ (insert whatever!).
Oh, and ps...some friends and I just decided we don't dance enough so we are going swing dancing soon!
Such great advice, Laura! I was so diligent in giving my kids this balance over the years, I neglected my own. Only in the last few years have I come close to achieving a better balance. A work in progress!!
I'm working on these areas in both my life and my kids. It's not easy ... Definitely keeps me humble and on my knees. ;0)
This is hard to pull off! It's so easy to get sidetracked and remember that they all have a place. Thanks for the reminder!
Laura, I love that. I think that's why young kids are so entertaining. They do all we wish we could/should! I know I don't play, sing and dance enough....
This just gave me a lightbulb. Have never thought of needing to give my kids balance in these terms.
Makes perfect sense. thanks.
What a great encouraging post, I love that quote!! Great reminders for sure!
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