This week I had 43 students from my school participating in the World Vision 8 Hour Famine. They've spent weeks collecting donations, culminating in an 8 hour fast on Tuesday. So that the poor little hungry darlings didn't have to watch their friends eating their lunches, we got together for some activities during the eating times at each break. All of the children tackled the day with enthusiasm and confidence, and while there were quite a few tummy aches and "I'm starving"s by the end of the day, overall they did very well.
I think the famine is a fantastic opportunity for Australian children to experience just a taste of what life is like for many children in our world. Too often we can feel sorry for ourselves when comparing our life to that of others, and kids are no different. It's not fair that we don't have a Wii, a TV in our bedroom, our own computer, a better car, fewer siblings, more junk food - I'm sure you've heard all the same complaints that I have! But in reality our children are surrounded by a wealth that other children can only dream of. Our children are guaranteed an education, at very little real cost to their family. Our children are protected from working and when they do start to, it's strictly regulated. Our children receive top quality health care, with diarrhea and measles not generally being life-threatening diseases in this country. We really are the lucky country!
"A person who talks sense is honoured; airheads are held in contempt." - Proverbs 12:8
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Friday, July 18, 2008
Packing It!
The kids and I recently went away on a holiday camp, where I was cooking for 40 people. Because of the enormous task of shopping for all these people, plus trying to still serve up something every night before we went, I asked the kids to pack their own bags. This experience has shown me that packing a bag is not a natural instinct, it is a learned one. Obviously, our warrior ancestors just walked out in what they were wearing, because that seems to have been the approach my children took, particularly my second son.
First, he packed the Pokemon book, even though we weren't allowed to take the Nintendo DS. At that point he informed me that he'd started packing and proudly showed me his progress. You can just imagine what I was thinking, can't you! Next he packed Teddy and about 5 other stuffed toys, severely limiting the available space for actual clothing. After some prompting he packed some undies, yep, just one pair (Ewww!). With more prompting he packed about 10 pairs for 5 nights worth, and then called for me to have another look.
I could see at that point that it was either step in and help, or spend the day running up and down the stairs to see every development in this packing nightmare. So I did what every mother clinging to sanity does - I tipped out the bag and showed him how to pack. Somehow we still ended up with room for the Pokemon book, but Teddy got a guernsey over all the others.
So what did I learn? Never underestimate the frustration that rises from delegating tasks to others. When delegating tasks be prepared to take twice as long as if you'd actually just done it yourself. And lastly, the Pokemon guidebook will always be considered more important than clean underwear by a 7 year old boy.
"Don't lose your grip on Love and Loyalty. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart." - Proverbs 3:3
First, he packed the Pokemon book, even though we weren't allowed to take the Nintendo DS. At that point he informed me that he'd started packing and proudly showed me his progress. You can just imagine what I was thinking, can't you! Next he packed Teddy and about 5 other stuffed toys, severely limiting the available space for actual clothing. After some prompting he packed some undies, yep, just one pair (Ewww!). With more prompting he packed about 10 pairs for 5 nights worth, and then called for me to have another look.
I could see at that point that it was either step in and help, or spend the day running up and down the stairs to see every development in this packing nightmare. So I did what every mother clinging to sanity does - I tipped out the bag and showed him how to pack. Somehow we still ended up with room for the Pokemon book, but Teddy got a guernsey over all the others.
So what did I learn? Never underestimate the frustration that rises from delegating tasks to others. When delegating tasks be prepared to take twice as long as if you'd actually just done it yourself. And lastly, the Pokemon guidebook will always be considered more important than clean underwear by a 7 year old boy.
"Don't lose your grip on Love and Loyalty. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart." - Proverbs 3:3
Friday, July 11, 2008
Holding onto life with both hands
Sometimes I feel that life is just racing away from me...
There's all this work to do, the house needs cleaning again, I'm late to drop the kids off somewhere.
Has it always been like this?
Don't get me wrong, life is lots of fun - there's the cuddles on the couch while we watch a movie, the impromptu game of cricket in the back yard or the odd afternoon curled up with a book.
There's all this work to do, the house needs cleaning again, I'm late to drop the kids off somewhere.
Has it always been like this?
Don't get me wrong, life is lots of fun - there's the cuddles on the couch while we watch a movie, the impromptu game of cricket in the back yard or the odd afternoon curled up with a book.
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