Whatever you would have your children become, strive to exhibit in your own life and conversation~ Lydia H. Sigourney
Like any other parent, I want each of my children to have time to think creatively, laugh often, explore their interests, and build meaningful relationships. Although there is no one proven recipe to create this for them, the best way I can help my children take time for the meaningful in their life is to do this in my own life. Telling my children how to be will never substitute for modeling the desired behavior.
I’ve found this requires intentionality—to resist consumerism and comparison to the schedules of other families. A simple calendar is a good place to start. Taking time to look at weekly scheduled activities outside of our home and responsibilities at home is a habit I want to inspire in my children. Do our calendars allow time to rest, to enjoy play, to have face-to-face connections with family and friends? Is there any free time? If not, then it’s time to reevaluate our commitments and possessions.
When faced with an overflowing schedule, I look for the activities that are not a must do commitment before I try to find more time to do everything on my calendar. Knowing what really matters in my life is more valuable to me than my time management skills. I have not given up on better time management—I just don’t want that task to sneak into first place in my life. This is where it is imperative to resist comparing how much I can fit into my family’s calendar with another family’s. Every family is unique with their own dynamics. I am better able to craft an intentional life for my children without comparing.
Resisting consumerism is another way we have found more time in our schedule to cultivate the meaningful. We spend less time shopping and taking care of things. Intentionally owning less gives us time and energy for something better—building relationships and exploring our interests. Pairing down our possessions and keeping them manageable has shifted my daily focus to the things that are most important in the life of my family.
Better yet, investing less of myself in stuff means I can invest more of myself in people–family, friends, and the larger communities around me.
Often, we need to remove the unnecessary to make room for the meaningful. What are some ways you cultivate the meaningful in the life of your family?
In my upcoming post I’ll talk about a few practical ways I help my children find time for what matters most.