What I Learned While Re-Styling Our Playset

It was past time. The wooden playset/swingset we bought 2 houses ago has moved with us and provided hours of fun for our three children. However, time and weather had taken their toll and the original redwood finish was looking pretty dull. Not only that, but a couple of structural pieces had been damaged and needed repair or replacement.

Now, many parents would just get out there and fix up this special place of childhood joy for their little angels. Not this mean mom. I decided this was a project we could all do together! You know: make memories, learn work ethic, have fun together … in short, end our summer break with a great mom and kids project.

So what did I learn?

First, I learned that when given a voice, children can and do make decisions together. After all, this is their playset, so I let them pick the colors, knowing the whole time that Luke would pick red; Daniel, green; and Lyssa, her current favorite of light blue. No one said their voice would be quiet or reserved! But because they were given a voice, they had a buy-in to the project.

Next I learned that given a common goal, even siblings who are often at cross purposes can pull together and have fun. My two youngest are often at odds. The way I describe it is this: one is a button pusher and the other walks around with buttons extended out for everyone to see. Not a good combo. However, I put them in close proximity and told them to paint. That is all – just paint. Work together and get that section painted. And guess what … they painted! And they helped each other. And they laughed and had fun. And when they got frustrated with each other, they worked it out. There was a job to be done.

I also learned that hard work truly doesn’t kill anyone. My kids are pretty spoiled. Any sweating they do usually involves yard chores done under duress. But the week we (I) chose for our playset reno was HOT. Did I hear complaining? A little. But I also saw siblings take breaks together, get drinks for each other and sweat together. And it didn’t kill them. I’d like to think it taught them.

Finally, I learned that those old fashioned ideals of working together to make memories can still be realized today. We put on old clothes, turned on some Disney tunes, got some cheap paint brushes and bright colors and we: sweated together, sang together, got paint in our hair together, laughed together and ACCOMPLISHED something together. Mom let go of some control and let the kids have an active part in realizing a goal.

The end result was a pretty spiffy looking playset. However, I think there will be longer lasting results. I know I will never forget the time spent with my sweet kids working, laughing, singing and painting in the summer sun. And I hope they won’t either.

Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

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