For the Children's Sake

I was recently reading through a book by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay entitled "For the Children's Sake." It was a nice reminder to slow down, value all children and their free play time. Children do not need every gadget and toy that is made nor would they want it if they knew the cost. TVs, ipods, computers, etc. all have more than a monetary cost to them. The time and energy wasted on gadgets could have been spent on training to become godly men and women. When girls play house and decorate their space they are on their way to being great homemakers. When boys play cowboys and indians they are learning to defend and protect. Do we want our children to have glazed over eyes and give the responses like, "Uh-huh, just a minute, I'm almost to the next level?" Also, there comes the issue of ownership, selfishness and pride over owning the latest thing. We want godly men who have learned to chop wood, mow grass, repair leaks and work hard to provide for a family. We want women who are willing to put themselves aside and sacrifice for a family and be diligent homemakers. I think when children are allowed to build forts in the yard, make tents all over the house, and turn beds into ships they are using imagination and creativity. We have all kinds of electronics and toys at our house, some we've bought and others given as gifts. But the favorites are always, baby dolls, tea sets, books, and board games. If the girls are given too much opportunity they will get careless and glaze over in front of the computer and disappear with a cd player and music. A slight reminder and the big girls are quick to reign themselves back in to what's more important. The younger ones need a little more restriction with the tv and movies, but can be swayed over easily by spending time on the kitchen counter stirring a pot or playing in the sink.
I often tend to put a lot of energy into organization and schedules so the quick read of this book was very helpful to me.