Do you send your children out the door screaming that they are late?
Does it seem like no matter how well you plan, things go awry and you get off schedule, hence the ranting and raving begin? How do you feel after you start your day that way, stressful, anxious, or angry? Well how do you think your children feel? They have been screamed at all morning and now they are going to go to school, to a new teacher, and probably get screamed at again, or at least that is the way they feel right now. Think back, is that how you began every morning when you went to school? What has changed? There are still 24 hours in every day, so why does time seem so fleeting? Why can’t you manage your time better? These are questions only you can answer, but here are a few suggestions.
Some of these you may have heard before; lay their clothes out the night before. Collect book bags, lunch boxes, money, and shoes into one place. Have a plan for breakfast. When you wake them up, turn on their light first, then come back in a minute or so and wake them. Instead of yelling, “Get Up!” how about a kiss on the cheek? Have a CD player in their room and turn on some lively music, to get them going. This is a new year and a great time to start new habits. Just because last year was tedious and crazy doesn’t mean this school year has to be. Eat breakfast as a family and pray together. If you need more time to do your make up for work, get up earlier. That responsibility should not fall on your children. Isn’t it better to send them out the door with a prayer of God’s blessing for the day, than idle threats about what you are going to do to them tomorrow if they are late again?
As parents we need to teach our children how to be responsible for themselves and their belongings. The best way to do this is by example. Know where you put your purse, car keys, briefcase etc… Be a calming influence on your children. Maybe start every day with a scripture verse they are trying to memorize for Awana’s or Sunday school. Make God an important part of their daily lives.
We as writers can have our characters as scatter brained as we wish, but we all know that it does not translate very well to real life. Help your character mature, thus helping others along the way.
I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.
It is he that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword.
Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood:
That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace:
That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets:
That our oxen may be strong to labour; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets.
Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord.
Psalms 144:9-15