Proverbs 29:15 -
A child left to himself disgraces his mother. (NIV)
~ Do you say, "Just a minute," to a child wanting your attention?
~ Do the minutes run into many more than just one?
~ Do you have a passion for something besides your children? In other words, is there a hobby, work, or other interest that holds you more than your children do?
~ Do you have a quiet child, perhaps one that everyone else speaks for, that you haven't bothered to take aside and get to know? This child is being left to himself.
~ Do your children spend many hours in their rooms, alone, without interaction from you or their father?
~ Is your child being "left to himself" as he spends hours in school or preschool?
* Be the mother your children need. You do not have to "do it all." Neither a spotless home nor a perfect school is required. Focus on the priorities: God first, family next, personal interests last. Put time with God first in your day, then breakfast, then school or child time. After your duties, personal activities come next, or--on some days--not at all. However, a mom who puts "first things first" will usually have extra time for self and interests. Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap (Gal. 6:7).
~ Lorraine Curry,
from Easy Homeschooling Companion
I've heard mention in a few places about the growing "epidemic," so to speak, of mothers who neglect their children because they're wrapped up in the computer: blogging, doing FaceBook, Twittering, etc. These words from Lorraine Curry were a good reminder to me to guard myself in this way. The first two questions she asked were particularly challenging to me because I feel like I'm *always* getting interrupted by someone, and I do have to sometimes answer with a "just a minute." But I know there are too many times when I could pause and give my child the attention he needs at that moment, but I'm simply too selfish to do so. I need to be more vigilant to sow love and attention into my children now--when they're young and want my attention!
