Hello everyone. Today, Gommy is going to talk about over-scheduling......I was just coming home from visiting our new little granddaughter and thinking about all the exciting things her mommy and daddy are in for. Like the first 'everythings' they are going to enjoy. It is really an exciting time for new parents. I can remember with my own three children how wonderful each stage was and how I learned as much from my children and they probably learned from me. We all want more for our children than we had ourselves, and that is where the 'over-scheduling' issue comes into play. The parents of today have so much on their plates, that I wonder how they can enjoy all the firsts they are experiencing. For instance, when my own children were little kids, we didn't have the plethora of options for them to be scheduled for. Today, the kids have piano, dance, aerobics, sports, etc., etc., etc. Many kids have several of these extra curricular activities to be scheduled for. I think that my children enjoyed the occasional outing more because it stood out in their memories as something special. The kids of today have all these 'special' times run together and they don't know where the 'special' picks up and where it ends. My own daughter has told me of the fond memories she has of summer vacation bible school, or the 'time' we went out to dinner at Marina 31. They stand out in her memory bank because it was special and not something she did everyday.
I can hear you mommys' all grunting about how going out to dinner only occasionally is not something you are ready to change. No, it isn't easy to cook dinner every day, but I am here to tell you it sure does keep a family close and it gives you an opportunity to connect with the kids and find out what is going on in their lives. I can't imagine not having conversations with my kids when they were growing up. The kids today all have their heads stuck on a device that sends out texts and they don't have a clue how to talk to people anymore. Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I'll take my good ole' days any time.
I have a friend who I have known since she was friends with my daughter in junior high school. She wrote on her Facebook page recently, "Anyone out there have any hints on what to do over the upcoming holiday with very little funds?" I wrote her back that she could have a 'potluck' dinner where everyone brings a dish to eat and then they could play board games, charades or cards. It really is a lot of fun and it doesn't cost anyone a bunch of money. I remember picnics when I was a kid. Everyone would bring food and lemonade and for entertainment, there was a baseball and a bat or a badminton set and everyone would stay the whole day and enjoy each others' company. What a concept!!!! Instead of paying mucho dineros to see a movie and having to take out a loan to get popcorn and a drink.
That's it for today. Gommys' homework assignment for everyone today is to think of something fun the family can do together that doesn't cost much and doesn't include any sort of electronic or phone device. Good luck. You may just have some fun......
