The Good Old Summertime
I love summer. The sun, the sleeping later, the reading, the yard work, the ability to be productive and still have some free time left in the day. I was reflecting on something today and realized one of the reasons I like summer so much. I was thinking about how much fun I had earlier laughing with my children.
As I considered that, it led me to ask this question: “Do you all like me better in the summer?” The analytical one said something about not liking more or less dependent on the season. One said, “What? I don’t know. I mean I like you the whole year.” But, one of them instantly said, “Yes.” No hesitation. Ouch!
(Bonus points if you can match the answers to the correct children.)
When I followed up with the “yes” answer as to why, the reply was about my having less stress and being less busy. Double ouch!
But that child was right! I do laugh more with them and not take things so seriously when it is summer! However, the season is not the reason. I am still the one making my own choices about how to behave. I’m just making choices with better rest and less stress – exactly as was pinpointed by my observant child.
Parents (read: “Amber”), please notice that your mood impacts and affects your children. Please be proactive in making changes to your schedule or your priorities or whatever else needs to change for the benefit of your children!
Why? There are several good reasons, including your relationship with them, their mental health, and the overall atmosphere of your home. More important than all those reasons are the ones given by God, Who is the one who blessed you with those children in the first place:
“And you, [parents], do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4)
“The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him.” (Proverbs 20:7)
“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)
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AUTHOR: Amber Tatum
